Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan Authorization Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. McADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2030, the Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan. My State is one of the four upper division States, and Utah gets 22 percent of its total water supply from the Colorado River.

The water is not only the lifeblood for farmers and ranchers in eastern Utah. It also supplies culinary water to the Wasatch Front, a fast-growing urban area where most of the State's residents live.

Since the year 2000, the Colorado River Basin and the State of Utah have been in severe drought. We don't know whether this drought will continue or, due to climate change, may permanently alter the river as a source of water. In the meantime, demand for water continues to rise.

Both Lake Powell and Lake Mead appear to be operating as designed, but both are at uncomfortably low levels. Congress must act promptly on this legislation so that the new agreement can be implemented and water conservation efforts can get underway.

The Upper Basin Drought Contingency Plan is aimed at protecting upper basin water supplies by keeping Lake Powell from falling below a specified critical elevation. Taking steps now to avoid that just makes sense and helps ensure that hydropower needs, water delivery, and protections for endangered species continue in compliance with the Colorado River Compact.

I strongly support this bipartisan, collaborative measure that builds on past efforts to decrease stress on basin water supplies and lets States and water users drive the decision, rather than have the Federal Government make unilateral water delivery cutbacks.

I thank Chairman Grijalva and Ranking Member Rob Bishop, my Utah colleague, for bringing this legislation to the floor promptly. It has the backing of Utah's four House Members, and it is supported by the State of Utah.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to seeing it signed into law.

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