Congresswoman Lauren Boebert secured important water commitments from Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton during a House Natural Resources Committee hearing.
Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-03) stated, “I’m helping lead the charge to ensure Colorado is not shortchanged in any Colorado River proposals and our communities receive the water to which they are entitled. Lower basin states continue to overuse the Colorado River, exacerbating water challenges for Colorado and the rest of the basin in the process. This week’s Resources hearing was extremely productive as we secured water commitments for important projects in Colorado as well as for important data that will help guide future negotiations.”
Background:
Congresswoman Lauren Boebert secured important water commitments from Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton during a House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries hearing entitled, “Examining the President’s Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Proposals for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Power Marketing Administrations.”
Congresswoman Boebert discussed the ongoing Colorado River negotiations with the seven basin states and the Bureau of Reclamation. This week, the Department of the Interior announced that it was temporarily withdrawing the draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement on the Colorado River Basin operations, which was published last month, so that it can fully analyze the effects of the lower basin states’ new proposal under the National Environmental Policy Act. Congresswoman Boebert pointed out that the three lower basin states’ commitment this week to conserve 3 million acre-feet of water by 2026 is encouraging, but that we need more analysis to ensure this plan adequately protects Colorado and that the focus must remain on addressing the lower basins’ continued overuse of Colorado River water.
Responding to Rep. Boebert questions, the Commissioner said BOR plans to analyze the lower basin states proposal this summer, will put it out for public comment and then will plan to adopt a final plan for the end of the year. The Commissioner also committed to providing Rep. Boebert with figures in terms of how many total acre-feet of water have been overused by lower basin states.
Congresswoman Boebert also secured a commitment from Commissioner Touton to continue to support the Arkansas Valley Conduit and work with her and local stakeholders to get this important project completed as soon as possible. The Arkansas Valley Conduit was first authorized by Congress in 1962 and will provide an abundant supply of clean water for 50,000 people in Southeastern Colorado. Congresswoman Boebert has consistently advocated for funding for this important project including submitting multiple appropriations requests and has worked extensively with local, state, and federal leaders to move the needle on this project.
Additionally, Congresswoman Boebert secured the support from Commissioner Touton to support reauthorization of the Upper Colorado and San Juan Basins Endangered Fish Recovery programs to ensure ESA compliance for more than 2,500 water projects in Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Wyoming.
Congresswoman Boebert’s full conversation with Commissioner Touton is available here:
