The House of Representatives approved H.R. 831, the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program Amendment Act, on Mar. 16. The bill, introduced by Representative Ken Calvert, aims to support activities of the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program (LCR MSCP) by establishing an interest-bearing account at the Department of the Treasury for funds contributed by Arizona, California, and Nevada.
The legislation is intended to provide additional resources for conserving one of the Southwest’s most important natural resources without increasing taxpayer costs. “I’m grateful for my House colleagues’ support in passing the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program Amendment Act,” said Calvert. “Providing additional resources for the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program at no cost to taxpayers will support one of our most important natural resources in the Southwest,” he said. “This bipartisan bill is a common-sense step that allows excess funds in the LCR MSCP to earn interest and maintain their effectiveness.”
Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman also commented on the bill’s passage: “Representative Calvert’s legislation supports collaboration among federal, state and local partners to conserve wildlife and sustain water reliability in the Colorado River basin. I applaud his leadership on this issue and look forward to working with him to see this bill across the finish line.”
The LCR MSCP was authorized by Congress in 2009 and involves federal agencies as well as state, tribal, and local water, power, and wildlife agencies within its scope from Lake Mead to the Mexican border. The program plans to establish over 8,000 acres of native habitat and has already increased populations of native fish and migratory birds through restoration efforts.
The program operates with a $626 million budget over a 50-year term shared among participants: 50% federal funding, 25% from California, and 12.5% each from Arizona and Nevada. For Fiscal Year 2024, state participants are set to pay $19.4 million out of a $38.8 million budget. According to the official biography, Ken Calvert has represented California’s 41st District since 1993; he was born in Corona in 1953 and graduated from San Diego State University with a BA in 1975.
Over time, contributed funds have accumulated faster than expenditures—over $60 million is currently held for future costs—but these accounts do not earn interest under current rules. The new legislation would allow these funds to generate investment returns similar to other congressionally established accounts.
