Senate Passes Bill to Extend Colorado River Water Conservation Program Through 2026
Farmers and ranchers in the Colorado River Basin can continue to receive payments for voluntarily reducing their water use. This is especially important for irrigators in states like Arizona, Nevada, and California who rely on Colorado River water and face growing drought pressure. The two-year extension gives them continued access to financial incentives that help offset income losses from using less water.
“To amend the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015, to reauthorize the Colorado River System conservation pilot program.”
Held at the desk.
Received in the House.
The House has received the Senate-passed bill and will decide whether to take it up.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (text: CR S3459)
The Senate voted to approve this bill. If the House already passed it, it goes to the President.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
The Senate voted to approve this bill. If the House already passed it, it goes to the President.
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
A federal program paying farmers and ranchers to voluntarily cut water use is stalled in the House. The System Conservation Pilot Program (SCPP) aims to protect Lake Mead and Lake Powell, but the lack of reauthorization has left Western Slope irrigators in limbo during a dry summer.
The Senate passed the Colorado River Basin System Conservation Extension Act (S. 154) as part of a bipartisan package. The bill, led by Sens. Hickenlooper and Bennet, renews a $125 million effort to reduce water use in the Upper Basin states of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.
Wyoming's federal delegation introduced legislation to restore the System Conservation Pilot Program after it expired in December. The program is vital for Upper Basin states that prefer voluntary, compensated conservation over mandatory cuts proposed by downstream states.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Colorado River Basin System Conservation Extension Act
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