Western States Water Newsletter

 Addressing Water Needs and Strategies for a Sustainable Future

 

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Issue #2677

HIGHLIGHTS

House Appropriations
On September 4, the House narrowly passed the FY2026 Energy and Water Development appropriations bill by a 214–213 vote, including amendments that redirected and increased funding for flood control, coastal emergencies, water infrastructure, and forecast informed reservoir operations.

House Natural Resources
On September 3, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee held a hearing on the Defending our Dams Act (H.R. 2073), which would block federal funding for removal or modification of the four Lower Snake River dams and require joint federal approval for spill operations. The hearing also addressed the Orland Project Water Management Act (H.R. 4970).

Montana/New Mexico/Indian Water Rights
On September 4, a bipartisan group of lawmakers urged congressional leaders to pass pending Indian water rights settlements and extend Customs User Fees through FY 2034 to finance them. They argued that this approach would uphold tribal trust responsibilities, reduce litigation, and generate budget savings of approximately $16.5 billion

Rio Grande/Texas v. New Mexico and Colorado
On August 29, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, and the United States submitted a settlement to the U.S. Supreme Court resolving a decade-long Rio Grande Compact dispute. The agreement requires New Mexico to reduce depletions by 18,200 AFY within ten years, implement hydrologic management actions, and report progress annually.

California/Sites Reservoir
On August 21, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a nearly $219M funding increase for the Sites Reservoir project, which will store up to 1.5 million acre-feet of water captured from the Sacramento River.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The WSWC Fall Meetings will be held in San Pedro, California, at the DoubleTree San Pedro Port of Los Angeles. A room block is being held through August 23. In-person attendees should register by September 5 at https://westernstateswater.org/events/wswc-fall-208th-meetings-san-pedro-california/

Schedule of Meetings

Tuesday, September 23
8:00 am Full Day Groundwater Workshop

Wednesday, September 24
8:00 am Full Day Field Trip

Thursday, September 25
8:00 am Strategic Directions Report and Wrap-Up
9:30 am WaDE – Members’ Discussion
10:30 am Special Topic: Water Data-State Priorities & Funding
12:00 pm Executive Committee (over lunch – invitation only)
1:30 pm Water Resources Committee Meeting
2:45 pm Water Quality Committee Meeting
4:00 pm Legal Committee Meeting
6:00 pm Reception

Friday, September 26
8:00 am WSWC Full Council (208th) Meeting