[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 19 (Wednesday, January 29, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S482]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. PADILLA (for himself, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mr. Schiff, Ms. 
        Rosen, and Mr. Kelly):
  S. 291. A bill to establish an interest-bearing account for the non-
Federal contributions to the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species 
Conservation Program, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources.
  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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