Colorado River Drought Response Act

Colorado River Drought Response Act

This bill authorizes appropriations for the Department of the Interior to reduce the near-term likelihood of Lake Mead (in Arizona and Nevada) and Lake Powell (in Arizona and Utah) declining to critically low water elevations. These reservoirs are part of the Colorado River Basin.

The bill also decreases the amount of time Interior has to act on existing requirements to establish grant programs for watershed habitat restoration and large-scale water recycling and reuse in certain western states.

The Colorado River Drought Response Act, also known as Bill 117 hr 8435, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The bill aims to address the ongoing drought conditions affecting the Colorado River and the surrounding region.

The Colorado River is a vital water source for millions of people in the western United States, providing water for agriculture, industry, and residential use. However, in recent years, the river has been experiencing severe drought conditions, leading to water shortages and environmental concerns.

The Colorado River Drought Response Act seeks to implement a series of measures to help alleviate the impacts of the drought. This includes increasing water conservation efforts, improving water management practices, and promoting sustainable water use. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for funding research and development of new technologies to improve water efficiency and reduce waste. It also calls for increased collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies to better manage water resources in the region. Overall, the Colorado River Drought Response Act aims to address the immediate challenges posed by the drought while also laying the groundwork for long-term solutions to ensure the sustainability of the Colorado River and the communities that rely on it for their water supply.