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HIGHLIGHTS
- On May 27, Governor Brad Little and Lt. Governor Scott Bedke celebrated over $30 million in water infrastructure funding approved by the Idaho Water Resource Board. The funding supports implementation of the 2024 Water Settlement Agreement, including $20M for groundwater-to-surface water conversion, $5M for operational efficiencies, and $4M for aquifer recharge.
- On May 22, Jesse Bradley was confirmed to lead Nebraska’s newly merged Department of Water, Energy and Environment, created through LB317 to streamline water oversight. Governor Pillen also launched a Water Quality and Quantity Task Force, bringing together leaders from multiple sectors to proactively address long-term water challenges.
- On May 29, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed a D.C. Circuit ruling, limiting NEPA’s reach and reaffirming that it is a procedural statute intended to inform, not obstruct, agency decisions. The Court emphasized judicial deference to agency discretion, stating that NEPA review should focus only on the project at hand, not hypothetical downstream effects.
- On May 30, WSWC summarized western state comments on WOTUS rule implementation. Some states advocated for narrower federal jurisdiction while others supported broader protections. Regardless of position, many states stressed the need for regional flexibility, clearer definitions, and integration of federal and state data tools.
- On June 2, WSWC sent a letter urging EPA to uphold federalism principles during WOTUS rulemaking and maintain strong state-federal collaboration. The letter called for durable definitions, joint mapping efforts, a regional implementation framework, and a transparent dispute resolution process for jurisdictional disagreements.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Summer Meetings
The WSWC 2025 Summer Meetings and 60th Anniversary will be held in Snowbird, Utah. Registration for virtual attendance (June 11-12) is now available at the link below: