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HIGHLIGHTS
On February 17, the WSWC submitted comments urging the EPA to respect state primacy and cooperative federalism in implementing §401 of the Clean Water Act. The Council called for a balanced approach that streamlines permitting for critical projects while preserving state-led water quality protections.
On February 14, the federal deadline for Colorado River negotiations passed without a consensus agreement among the seven Basin States, prompting the Department of the Interior to move forward with the NEPA process to finalize operating guidelines by October 1, 2026. Arizona Republican representatives requested the Draft EIS be withdrawn over concerns it unfairly reduces Arizona’s water allocation. Lower and Upper Basin States issued respective statements.
On February 13, House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson released the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, with committee markup scheduled for February 23. The bill includes provisions on conservation, rural water programs, watershed protection, drought monitoring, and a pilot program to study irrigation reduction from the Ogallala Aquifer.
On February 5, the Wyoming State Engineer issued a priority administration order requiring junior water rights holders on the North Platte River to cease diversions until May 1, 2026, citing low snowpack, drought, and insufficient reservoir storage.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The WSWC Spring (209th) Meetings and Washington, D.C., Roundtable, jointly hosted by the Interstate Council on Water Policy (ICWP), will be held from April 21-24, 2026. The agendas are now available on the event website.
The Joint ICWP-WSWC Roundtable is an in-person only meeting with a registration fee. Please register in advance from the ICWP event page. The WSWC Organizational Meeting will be held in person with virtual accommodations. There is no registration fee. Please register in advance from the WSWC event page.
MEETING SCHEDULE:
Monday: Travel Day
Tuesday: Congressional Hill Visits
Wednesday: Joint ICWP-WSWC Roundtable and evening reception
Thursday: WSWC Organizational Meeting
Friday: WSWC-WestFAST Principals Meeting (EPA Headquarters from 9:00 am – 11:00 am)
MEETING VENUE: All ICWP/WSWC meetings on Wednesday and Thursday will be held at the Xylem Reservoir Center for Water Solutions located at 301 Water Street SE, Washington, DC 20003.