Federal Funding for Western States’ Drought Response Hits Snag
Amid escalating drought conditions in the Western United States, an unexpected pause in federal funding has left many water conservation projects in limbo. This halt follows a directive from President Donald Trump, affecting $388.3 million earmarked by the Biden administration for crucial water-saving initiatives.
The Colorado River, an essential water source for approximately 40 million people spanning from Wyoming to Mexico, is under significant strain due to climate change. This has prompted cities and agricultural sectors relying on the river to struggle with reducing their water use. Federal funds have been instrumental in supporting these areas, facilitating projects like incentivizing farmers to adopt water-efficient practices and enhancing wildlife habitats.
Initially, the Biden administration planned to distribute these funds to projects across Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico, and several Native American tribes. However, a recent executive order signed by President Trump has placed an indefinite pause on disbursements related to the Inflation Reduction Act.
Stakeholders remain hopeful that this delay will be brief. Steve Wolff, general manager of the Southwestern Water Conservation District in Durango, Colorado, is particularly concerned about the $25.6 million originally assigned to his organization for wetland and stream habitat improvements. Wolff stated, “I just hope that both Democrats and Republicans across the West recognize the importance of this funding and what it does for local communities.”
The Bureau of Reclamation, the agency responsible for managing water infrastructure in the West, has not commented on the situation. Meanwhile, numerous projects await funding, including 16 in Colorado alone, each requiring at least $500,000. Other states like Utah, Wyoming, and New Mexico, along with tribal lands, are also affected.
Specifically, Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources is poised to receive up to $37.2 million for five projects. The agency remains optimistic, interpreting the funding freeze as primarily targeting energy initiatives.
The largest grant from the funding pool is intended for the Shoshone Water Rights Preservation Project in Colorado. This initiative aims to secure water for Western Colorado, preventing a potential acquisition by a rapidly expanding city in the Denver area. The Colorado River District has been diligently collecting funds towards its $99 million goal, with the federal grant representing a significant portion of this effort.
According to Alex Funk from the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, the typical lengthy review process for such grants was expedited by the Biden administration. Funk expressed hope for a continued momentum in finalizing these awards, despite the pause.
Furthermore, the stance of Doug Burgum, the nominee for Interior Secretary, has been described as encouraging regarding ongoing negotiations about the Colorado River’s water-sharing agreements. Funk noted, “[Burgum] certainly signaled that he wanted his agency to be supportive of ongoing dialog and collaboration.”
Even with the uncertainty following the 2024 election, water policy experts have expressed cautious optimism that federal water policy discussions will remain stable, as they have traditionally been led by experienced technocrats.
This article is part of KUNC’s ongoing Colorado River coverage, supported by the Walton Family Foundation.
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