Colorado River Basin Water Security and Infrastructure Act

This bill would exempt water, energy, and infrastructure projects that serve Colorado River Basin states from the National Environmental Policy Act and set deadlines for federal permit decisions. It would create a federal program and fund that pays $2 for every $1 of non-federal money committed to projects that add to the region's water supply, such as desalination, storage, recycling, and removing invasive plants. It would require the Interior Department to restart the Yuma Desalting Plant within 180 days and to pursue an agreement with Mexico on seawater desalination plants that could reduce Colorado River deliveries owed under the water treaty. It would direct feasibility studies for federal water projects in California, Arizona, and the Upper Basin states and allow construction without a further act of Congress once certain conditions are met. It would authorize $19 billion in total spending across these programs.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Andy Biggs Republican sponsor
• 0 cosponsors