House Passes Rep. Calvert Bill to Support the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program
Today, the House of Representatives approved H.R. 831, the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program Amendment Act. The bill was introduced by Rep. Calvert to support Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program (LCR MSCP) activities. The bill would establish an interest-bearing account at the Department of the Treasury to hold the funds contributed by the states of Arizona, California, and Nevada for the LCR MSCP.
“I’m grateful for my House colleagues' support in passing the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program Amendment Act,” said Rep. Calvert. “Providing additional resources for the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program at no cost to taxpayers will support one of our most important natural resources in the Southwest,” said Rep. Calvert. “This bipartisan bill is a common-sense step that allows excess funds in the LCR MSCP to earn interest and maintain their effectiveness.”
“Representative Calvert’s legislation supports collaboration among federal, state and local partners to conserve wildlife and sustain water reliability in the Colorado River basin,” said Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (AK-4). “I applaud his leadership on this issue and look forward to working with him to see this bill across the finish line.”
Background:
The Lower Colorado River provides critical water and power supplies across the Southwest. The LCR MSCP was authorized by Congress in 2009 and is supported by agencies within the federal government, as well as State, Tribal, and local water, power, and wildlife agencies. Within the geographic scope of the LCR MSCP from Lake Mead to the Mexican border, the program will establish over 8,000 acres of native riparian and aquatic habitat. It includes additional science-based research and management efforts focused on expanding knowledge of the local wildlife and the quality of the habitat restoration efforts. The program has already achieved success in stocking thousands of native fish and increasing the number of breeding migratory birds within 5,000 acres of new riparian habitat.
The LCR MSCP has a budget of $626 million for its 50-year term. The funding is shared among the program participants on the basis of 50% Federal, 25% California, and 12.5% each from Arizona and Nevada. Through the LCR MSCP agreements, the Lower Basin States committed to make quarterly payments to cover the program costs based on the initial budget estimates established in 2005. For Fiscal Year 2024, the program budget calls for funding of $38.8 million, with the State participants paying $19.4 million. Over time, the pace of funding has exceeded the work expenditures, and Reclamation has accumulated over $60 million in contributed funds for future costs. However, the accounts in which the Bureau of Reclamation holds the contributed funds do not earn interest or any investment return. There are multiple examples of funds established by congressional action in the U.S. Treasury that are directed to be invested or to earn interest. This legislation simply allows the LCR MSCP to also earn interest.
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