Summary#
This bill, the Water Security and Drought Resilience Act, changes existing federal programs that support water storage and related projects in Reclamation States. It amends the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to allow the Secretary of the Interior (through the Bureau of Reclamation) to provide financial assistance for water storage projects, to expand which projects are eligible, and to require distribution of funds across multiple Reclamation States.
Key changes include: allowing assistance for projects with feasibility studies authorized under the IIJA; revising the small storage program eligibility to set size limits for surface and groundwater storage and recharge (including 200–30,000 acre-feet and 200–150,000 acre-feet ranges); extending the small storage program authority period; and creating a new grant program for "natural water retention and release" projects that use natural materials and processes to increase water availability (for example, aquifer recharge or floodplain retention).
The natural water retention grants define who may apply (States, Tribes, municipalities, irrigation and water districts, regional authorities, or qualified nonprofit partners), set criteria for projects under and over $20 million, limit the Federal share to no more than 90 percent, make Federal funds nonreimbursable, and authorize specific annual appropriations.
What it means for you#
- If you are an eligible entity in a Reclamation State (for example, a State agency, Tribe, irrigation district, or qualifying local authority), you may be able to apply for grants or other financial assistance for water storage, groundwater recharge, conveyance, or natural retention projects.
- Projects that increase surface or groundwater storage, convey water to or from storage, or provide recharge and groundwater stabilization are eligible if they meet the size and other criteria in the bill.
- For natural water retention and release projects, the federal share can cover up to 90% of project costs. Federal funds provided under that section are nonreimbursable.
- The bill requires the Secretary to distribute assistance across multiple Reclamation States. The bill also states it does not authorize federal acquisition of water and does not supersede or infringe on water rights or existing State, Federal, interstate compact, or treaty obligations.
Expenses#
- The bill authorizes $20,000,000 per year for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2033 to carry out the small storage program (section 40903).
- The bill authorizes $15,000,000 per year for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out the natural water retention and release grants (section 4).
- The Federal share of a natural water retention and release project shall not exceed 90% of total project cost. Funds provided under that section are nonreimbursable to the United States.
- No publicly available information on total program cost beyond these annual authorizations or on other budgetary offsets is provided in the bill text.
Proponents' View#
No publicly available information.
Opponents' View#
No publicly available information.