Reps. Lee, Stansbury, Lesko Lead Bipartisan Introduction of Colorado River Basin Voluntary Water Conservation Program to Improve Western Water Security

Statement

Today, U.S. Representatives Susie Lee (Nev.-03), Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01), and Debbie Lesko (Ariz.-08), along with Reps. Joe Neguse (Colo.-02), Dina Titus (Nev.-01), Jason Crow (Colo.-06), and Diana DeGette (Colo.-01) introduced the Colorado River Basin Conservation Act.

As the Colorado River is facing historic challenges in meeting the water needs of millions of people living in the West, this legislation reauthorizes a key water conservation pilot program on which the Department of the Interior has successfully partnered with water agencies from both the Upper and Lower Colorado River Basin since 2014 to avoid mandatory cuts to Colorado River water users. The program is critical to helping keep water in Lake Mead and Lake Powell, reservoirs that are part of a system providing water to more than 40 million people across the Western United States. The program supports Colorado River users for voluntarily conserving water.

"After years of suffering a mega-drought, the arid southwest is facing an unprecedented water crisis that requires swift and aggressive action," said Rep. Lee. "While Nevada has long been a leader in water conservation, this bipartisan legislation will incentivize Colorado River water users to conserve more precious water resources. All of us who rely upon the Colorado River must work together to conserve every drop of water we can. Time is running out--that is why this legislation is so critical."

"New Mexicans know that water is life and that we must act now to ensure our water supply for generations to come," said Rep. Stansbury. "Our communities, farmers and ranchers are already facing impossible choices. We must do everything within our power to keep water flowing to our communities and avoid mandatory cuts to Colorado River Basin states--which means that the Interior must have the resources and flexibility to support responsible stewardship of our water. I'm proud to fight for this program with Representatives Lesko and Lee and will be working hard to get this bill across the finish line."

"Arizonans have been faced with substantial reductions in their water allocation, even though Arizona has been leading the way in water conservation efforts," said Rep. Lesko. "I am pleased to work with my Congressional colleagues on this bipartisan legislation to encourage water conservation across all Colorado River Basin States and protect our water supply to help avoid more drastic cuts to Arizonans' water usage."

"As record-breaking drought conditions worsen it is imperative that we use programs that are proven to support and conserve our critical water sources. The System Conservation Pilot Program increases drought preparedness for Coloradans and communities across the West, and I'm proud to join this legislation which would reauthorize the important program," said Rep. Neguse.

"Nevada has been a leader in implementing sensible water conservation measures that use less water despite our tremendous growth," said Rep. Titus. "Reauthorizing the System Conservation Pilot Program will help prop up levels in Lake Mead and Lake Powell by compensating states for doing their part to save water. I will continue to work to combat receding water levels in the Colorado River Basin so that we can ensure the sustainability of our communities."

"Colorado faces the driest climate in U.S. history. That's why I'm proud to work with Representatives Stansbury, Lesko, and Lee to empower community water conservation efforts in response to the drought," said Rep. Crow. "Reauthorizing water conservation programs with proven success keeps water flowing to millions of users and fulfills our promise to protect the lifeblood of our state."

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation concluded in the agency's 2021 report to Congress that the pilot program reauthorized by this bill has been successful, recommending that it be continued. The report further noted that the program can serve as a platform for future collaboration on system conservation activities to help mitigate drought in the Colorado River Basin.

This legislation is a companion to the Colorado River Basin Conservation Act, sponsored by Senators John Hickenlooper (Colo.) and John Barasso (Wyo.) that has passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

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