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Floor Speech
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Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program Amendment Act of 2025, which would allow the Bureau of Reclamation's Lower Colorado River Multispecies Conservation Program (LCR MSCP) account to collect interest.
In 2005, the LCR MSCP was developed through a collaborative partnership with State leaders, local stakeholders, and the Federal Government with the purpose of balancing the Lower Basin Colorado River system operations and water uses with conservation of native species and their habitats.
Covering approximately 400 miles of the lower Colorado River, the LCR MSCP is a 50-year plan to create at least 8,132 acres of new habitat and restore habitat that has become degraded in order to recover 27 species, including 7 listed under the Endangered Species Act. To date, the program has already succeeded in stocking thousands of native fish and increasing numbers of breeding migratory birds within 5,000 acres of new riparian habitat.
The Federal Government and water utility customers in Arizona, California, and Nevada each contribute funding to support program implementation.
This legislation would amend the law that created the LCR MSCP to allow for its account to collect interest.
Although the program has a budget of $626 million for its 50-year term, its value is eroded over time by inflation that results in higher costs to implement projects. In the current interest rate environment, the lack of reinvestment can cost the LCR MSCP millions annually that could be used to fund future program work.
This bicameral, bipartisan bill has previously received supportive testimony from the Bureau of Reclamation and passed through the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources by voice vote last Congress.
I would like to thank Congressman Ken Calvert for introducing this bill in the House of Representatives, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program Amendment Act of 2025 as quickly as possible. ______
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