Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program Amendment Act of 2025
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 831) to establish an interest-bearing account for the non- Federal contributions to the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 831
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Lower Colorado River Multi- Species Conservation Program Amendment Act of 2025''. SEC. 2. INTEREST-BEARING FUND.
Section 9402 of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-11; 123 Stat. 1328) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Interest-Bearing Account for Non-Federal Contributions.--
``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Agreement.--The term `Agreement' means the agreement entitled the `Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program Funding and Management Agreement' and dated April 4, 2005.
``(B) Fund.--The term `Fund' means the Non-Federal Funding Account for the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program established by paragraph (2).
``(C) Non-federal contribution.--The term `non-Federal contribution' means an amount contributed by a State Party for the non-Federal cost share described in section 8 of the Agreement.
``(D) State party.--The term `State Party' has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Agreement.
``(2) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury of the United States a fund, to be known as the `Non-Federal Funding Account for the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program', consisting of--
``(A) any amounts deposited in the Fund under paragraph (3); and
``(B) any interest earned on investment of amounts in the Fund under paragraph (4).
``(3) Deposits to fund.--
``(A) In general.--Pursuant to section 8.4 of the Agreement, the Secretary of the Treasury shall deposit in the Fund--
``(i) any unexpended non-Federal contributions provided before the date of enactment of this subsection; and
``(ii) any non-Federal contributions provided on or after the date of enactment of this subsection.
``(B) Availability of amounts.--
``(i) Expenditure.--Amounts deposited in the Fund under subparagraph (A) shall be made available to the Secretary, without further appropriation, for expenditure--
``(I) as provided in the Program Documents; and
``(II) in accordance with this section.
``(ii) Interest.--Amounts derived from interest earned on amounts in the Fund under subparagraph (A) shall be made available, subject to appropriation of amounts derived from such interest, to the Secretary for expenditure--
``(I) as provided in the Program Documents; and
``(II) in accordance with this section.
``(4) Investment of amounts.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary of the Treasury may invest any portion of the Fund that is not, as determined by the Secretary, required to meet the current needs of the Fund.
``(B) Requirement.--Investments under subparagraph (A) may be made only in interest-bearing obligations of the United States.
``(5) Transfers of amounts.--
``(A) Transfer of previously contributed funds.--The amounts required to be deposited in the Fund under paragraph (3)(A)(i) shall be transferred from the general fund of the Treasury to the Fund not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this subsection.
``(B) Transfer of future contributed funds.--As soon as practicable after the date on which amounts described in paragraph (3)(A)(ii) are contributed, those amounts shall be transferred to the Fund.
``(C) Responsibility of state parties.--In accordance with the Agreement, on deposit of amounts in the Fund under paragraph (3), the State Parties shall not be responsible for any losses due to investment of those amounts the Fund.''.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. WITTMAN. 831, the bill now under consideration.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 831, the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program Amendment Act of 2025, sponsored by Representative Calvert from California.
The Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program aims to conserve native fish populations, increase habitat for migratory birds in the Lower Colorado River Basin, and allow for continued water and power deliveries.
The Federal Government contributes 50 percent of its funding, and three Lower Basin States provide the remainder. In recent years, however, the pace of funding has outpaced the pace of work, leaving available funds idle.
This legislation would authorize the Bureau of Reclamation to place the program's non-Federal funds in an interest-bearing account, providing approximately $2 million annually that would otherwise be borne by the Lower Basin States.
I commend Representative Calvert for his continued leadership, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 831.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
I also want to reflect on Representative Elfreth's words, and that is the incredible work by the Natural Resources Committee, the leadership there with Chairman Westerman and Ranking Member Huffman, and an incredible staff. They do a lot to bring these bills to the floor to make sure, too, that they work through to make sure they can receive bipartisan support. Truly, what Congress needs to do is get bills through that have impacts on these districts.
Madam Speaker, you heard from Members today about the incredible impact these bills have on people's lives and on their districts. That is what makes legislating important. We should never forget that. People send us here to get things done, to get bills like this done. While they may be somewhat parochial in how they affect certain regions, it is critical to the Nation that we understand that all of us benefit when these great national treasures and natural resources are enhanced and conserved. That is really what makes it great.
I appreciate Representative Elfreth's work and her cooperation on H.R. 4294 in making sure we find a way to productively use a resource that is now in overabundance and making sure that we do everything we can within that realm.
It is key to us as members of the Natural Resources Committee to make sure we get these things done. We are entrusted not only as legislators, but we are entrusted by the people who elect us to be the stewards of what they own: the great lands, treasures, and natural resources of this Nation. That is what makes us great.
There is no other place on the planet that has this great abundance of resources that have such great impact on communities. We are all honored to be here today as advocates for that, along with our fellow Members, to make sure these pieces of legislation see their way to being signed into law.
I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. I thank the incredible staff on the Natural Resources Committee for what has culminated today in a number of fantastic pieces of legislation that will make a difference in people's lives. We will continue to preserve what we hold great in this Nation, and that is our true national treasure, our natural resources.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source