WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert’s bill to recover endangered fish species in the Upper Colorado River Basin and the San Juan River Basin has passed the majority Republican House of Representatives. But across the political aisle, there is disagreement on how much funding is needed for projects to increase fish populations.
This fish recovery program has been in place for over 30 years. The program allows local groups to use water for activities such as building new dams or power plants.
At the same time, the fish recovery program funds projects that enable endangered fish populations to increase. Altogether, the program allows water users to carry on as needed without worrying about hurting endangered fish species.
Fish populations are increased through projects such as raising endangered fish species in a controlled environment to reintroduce into rivers. As a result of those projects, the humpback chub’s classification was changed from endangered to threatened.
“For over three decades, states, tribes, local communities, environmental groups, energy users and water users have partnered to help recover four threatened and endangered fish species while continuing water and power facilitation development and operations in the Upper Colorado River Basin and the San Juan River Basin,” Boebert said on the House floor.
Last summer, U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper introduced a similar bill to Boebert’s. However, his proposal included $92 million to support protections of endangered species. Boebert’s bill, which passed the house on Wednesday, provides only $70 million.
Boebert has a history of voting “anti-environment” in Congress. She has a score of 0% from the League of Conservation voters. Hickenlooper has a score of 94%. The system scores members of Congress on how they vote on environmental issues, such as conservation.
“The congresswoman has put together a very impressive portfolio of efforts on water, protecting our resources in Colorado, and I think ultimately that's what voters are going to look for at the end of the day,” said Drew Sexton, spokesman for Boebert.
Local stakeholders such as the Southwestern Water Conservation District supported Boebert’s bill but “are concerned that the $70 million for annual funding is below the amount requested by participants in the two recovery programs,” reads a letter submitted to Boebert’s office.
The letter also addressed the $22 million funding shortage as an issue with the House “pay-go” rule. The pay-go rule states the House must identify how to offset the costs of increased spending. The “pay-go” rule can be waived by a majority vote in the House or with the support of 60 senators.
Last summer, general manager of the Southwestern Water Conservation District Steve Wolff testified in Congress in support of Boebert’s bill. In an interview with The Durango Herald, Wolff said the additional $22 million is important to stakeholders because of increased costs of specific fish recovery projects as a result of inflation. Wolff said the program is a “win-win” because it helps local conservation groups as well as groups who use the river for projects such as building new dams or power plants.
“We support reauthorization of the programs that's outlined in both the Senate and House versions,” Wolff said. “We think it's important it be passed with the higher levels that are included in the Senate bills. But we certainly appreciate Rep. Boebert’s efforts on this.”
Both Boebert’s and Hickenlooper's offices said they are working together on getting the funding to pass in Congress.
Maria Tedesco is an intern for The Durango Herald and The Journal in Cortez and a student at American University in Washington, D.C. She can be reached at mtedesco@durangoherald.com.
