The Wyoming delegation is working to restore funding for water conservation efforts in the Colorado River Basin through the System Conservation Pilot Program SCPP.
This program, which was ended in December 2024, paid irrigators in Wyoming and other upper-basin states to conserve water and ensure there is enough supply for downstream states.
The bills filed in both the U.S. Senate and House would extend this program, which received significant funding last year through the Inflation Reduction Act.
The pilot program, which paid Wyoming ranchers for voluntarily reducing water use, is seen as a preferable alternative to mandatory cuts proposed by lower-basin states like California, Nevada, and Arizona.
Despite the bipartisan support for the legislation, uncertainty surrounds whether the program will be reauthorized this year.
The situation is complicated by the ongoing challenges of water shortages in the Colorado River Basin, where diminishing water supplies are impacting various sectors, including agriculture, tourism, and the environment.
The continuation of these efforts is crucial for maintaining a balance between the competing needs of the seven Colorado River Compact states and addressing the broader environmental and economic challenges brought on by drought and water scarcity.