In First Legislative Hearing, Members Consider Solutions for Western Water Issues and Undersea Cable Construction

Today, the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries held a legislative hearing on four bills including combatting the effects of drought in the West and reauthorizing an important conservation program. Subcommittee Chair Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) issued the following statement in response:

"Today, I convened the first hearing as Chair of the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries to consider vital legislation, such as my bill extending the System Conservation Pilot Program. It's a privilege to guide discussions on issues that directly impact our communities and resources. I want to thank the witnesses for their invaluable insights and to my colleagues on their commitment to create solutions for the American people."

Background

H.R. 231, the Colorado River Basin System Conservation Extension Act of 2025, introduced by U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.), will reauthorize the Colorado River Basin Conservation Pilot Program through FY 2026.

H.R. 261, the Undersea Cable Protection Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.), will prevent the Secretary of Commerce from requiring additional permitting for fiber optic cable projects that have already been authorized by a federal or state agency, within a National Marine Sanctuary.

H.R. 331, introduced by U.S. Rep. Russ Fulcher, will amend the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to clarify and streamline the process for transporting water for aquifer recharge projects across federal land.

H.R. 635, the WaterSMART Access for Tribes Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), will allow the Secretary of the Interior to reduce or waive cost-share requirements for tribal governments under Reclamation's WaterSMART program.

To learn more, click here.