Western States Water Council
A Voice for Water in the West since 1965
What We Do
Our mission is to ensure that the West has an adequate, secure, and sustainable supply of water of suitable quality to meet its diverse economic and environmental needs now and in the future.
Western Water Policy Positions
Raise water as a critical public policy priority. Policy positions are vetted with the governors, adopted by the Council, and promoted on behalf of Western States.
Weekly Newsletter
Report and curate state and federal news on water-related issues, as well as other activities and events.
Federal Reserved Tribal and Non-Tribal Water Rights
Support authorization and funding of negotiated settlements between tribes, states, and federal agencies to resolved unquantified tribal and non-tribal water claims.
Water Infrastructure
Recognize and promote active asset management, including consistent funding to address aging infrastructure challenges, future water supply, and water and wastewater treatment needs.
Sharing of State-Level Water Data
Develop and grow the Water Data Exchange (WaDE) Program that streamlines access to water rights and water use data, water quality and other water related databases.
Enhance State and Federal Relationships and Encourage Collaboration
Serve as a forum for Interstate and State/Federal dialogue and action on emerging and ongoing water issues with our Western States Federal Agency Support Team (WestFAST).
Water Quality-Quantity Nexus
Recognize and promote efforts to better manage and balance the interrelationships between the development and allocation of water resources, wastewater treatment, and water quality.
Water-Related Observing Systems and Data
Support the maintenance and expansion of critical observing systems and promote innovation related to the monitoring and reporting of water-related parameters.
#454 – Supporting Indian Water Rights Settlements
Position #454 – October 15, 2020 WHEREAS, the Western States Water Council, an instrumentality of eighteen westernstates advising Western Governors on water policy, has consistently supported negotiatedsettlement of disputed Indian water rights claims; and WHEREAS,...
#453 – Regarding Water Related Federal Rules, Regulations, Directives, Orders and Policies
Position #453 – July 22, 2020 WHEREAS, Presidential Executive Order 13132, issued on August 4, 1999, requires federal agencies to “have an accountable process to ensure meaningful and timely input by State and local officials in the development of regulatory policies...
#452 – Supporting the Water Resources Research Institutes and the USGS Water Resources Research Act Program
Position #452 – July 22, 2020 WHEREAS, in the West, water is a vital and scarce resource the availability of which has and continues to circumscribe growth, development, our economic well being and environmental quality of life; and WHEREAS, the wise use,...
Issue 2653
To view and download the newsletter, click on the link below: Issue #2653
Corps Nationwide Permit Rulemaking
On November 16, 2020, comments were due to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) regarding their Proposal to Reissue and Modify Nationwide Permits (NWPs). Western states commented both individually and through the Association of Clean Water Administrators (ACWA). States that individually commented included Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.
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Topical Resources
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Issue #2664
To view and download the newsletters, click on the link below: Issue #2664 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...
(2013, Post) Improving Drought Prediction at Seasonal to Inter-Annual Timescales
Improving Drought Prediction at Seasonal to Inter-Annual Timescales Workshop – Presentations (Link to Event) AGENDA Improving Drought Prediction at Seasonal to Inter-Annual Timescales Sponsored by Western States Water Council and California Department of Water...
The Western States Water Council is the preeminent water policy organization in the western U.S. representing as it does 18 western states. From influential positions on federal rules and legislation to support of Landsat missions intended to acquire important water use information, the Council serves it member states like no other entity. My 18-year membership with the Council is one of the most memorable experiences of my service as Wyoming State Engineer.
I find the Council to be a provocative forum to discuss how State water supply and water quality program should interact. Western perspectives highlight the unique and confounding aspects of managing water quality in ways that defy uniform application of the Clean Water Act. And there may be no greater champion of the importance of water data programs of the USGS and NRCS than the WSWC.
The Western States Water Council is recognized as a national leader in developing and influencing national and western water policy, while serving as the water arm for the Western Governors’ Association. The Council provides an excellent forum for states and federal agencies to discuss water issues of mutual interest. I know that my time on the Council certainly enhanced my ability as a leader on state water issues.
Contact Us
Western States Water Council Office
682 East Vine Street, Suite 7
Murray, UT 84107-5501
(801) 685-2555
(801) 685-2559 (fax)
jgroat@wswc.utah.gov
Julie Groat
Office Manager
