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Newsletter Highlights
- As of March 25, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced the termination of 96 federal leases affecting water-related agencies in the West. This article includes an analysis of apparent purposes of affected facilities including a Reclamation regional office, USGS water research centers, and USFS wildfire training centers. Colorado Senators wrote GSA leadership expressing concern and requesting information.
- On April 4, EPA and the Army Corps held their kickoff federalism consultation meeting for revising the definition of Waters of the United States (WOTUS). Michelle Bushman and other participants emphasized that EPA should seek input from states as co-regulators on implementable rules, mapping, dispute mechanisms and permitting issues such as jurisdictional ditches. A public comment period is open through April 23 for technical terms and through June 2 for federalism-related concerns.
- On April 4, The Bureau of Reclamation awarded $134 million to support the Sites Reservoir Project in northern California, which will boost statewide water storage by up to 15%. The reservoir will capture Sacramento River flows and release water during dry periods, improving drought resilience.
- On March 27, a Utah court partially rejected state motions to dismiss a public trust lawsuit that challenges the State’s failure to protect Great Salt Lake water levels, affirming its authority to assess the scope of the public trust doctrine and the State’s fiduciary responsibilities. However, the court ruled it lacks jurisdiction to mandate specific modifications to upstream diversions, limiting plaintiffs’ requested remedies.
- Gretel Follingstad is stepping down as NOAA’s Regional Drought Early Warning Coordinator and will be succeeded on the WestFAST team by Elizabeth Ossowski. USGS Program Coordinator Mindi Dalton is retiring, with Brian Clark taking over representation duties for the agency.