U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) on Sept. 10 sponsored a bipartisan bill that would provide additional resources for the Lower Colorado River (LCR) Multi-Species Conservation Program (MSCP) at no cost to taxpayers.
The legislation, said Rep. Calvert, “will support one of our most important natural resources in the Southwest. This bill is a common-sense step that allows excess funds in the LCR MSCP to earn interest and maintain their effectiveness.”
Specifically, the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program Amendment Act of 2024, H.R. 9515, would establish an interest-bearing account at the U.S. Department of Treasury to hold the funds contributed by the states of Arizona, California, and Nevada for the LCR MSCP.
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 percent federal, 25 percent California, and 12.5 percent 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, according to a statement from Rep. Calvert.
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, the statement says. If enacted, the bill would allow the LCR MSCP to also earn interest.
U.S. Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA) is the lead original cosponsor of H.R. 9515, which is the companion bill to the same-named bill introduced by U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) in the Senate.
“As we continue to face unpredictable drought cycles in Southern California and across the Lower Colorado Region, every dollar invested into protecting our precious habitats and resources is critical,” said Rep. Napolitano. “The successes of the LCR MSCP will be multiplied by allowing its funds to earn interest, as many funds within the Bureau of Reclamation already do, further benefiting our taxpayers, agencies, and the environment.”
Deven Upadhyay, the interim general manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, endorsed the bill, along with JB Hamby, Imperial Irrigation District Vice Chairman and Colorado River Commissioner for California, and Jim Barrett, general manager of the Coachella Valley Water District.