The Basin Fund Preservation Act mandates a study on the effects of Glen Canyon Dam operations on the Upper Colorado River Basin Fund, hydropower, and endangered species.
Mike Lee
Senator
UT
The Basin Fund Preservation Act requires the Department of Interior and Department of Energy to develop a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to study and address the impacts of the Glen Canyon Dam Record of Decision on the Upper Colorado River Basin Fund. The MOU will outline how the Record of Decision affects the Fund's responsibilities, hydropower production, and endangered species. The goal is to ensure the Fund can continue its operations, maintain infrastructure, and mitigate any negative consequences from the Record of Decision. This act does not alter any existing rights or responsibilities under Title 5 of the U.S. Code.
Feds Ordered to Study Glen Canyon Dam Decision's Impact on Colorado River Basin Fund and Hydropower
A new bill, the "Basin Fund Preservation Act," directs two major federal departments—Interior and Energy—to team up and figure out the fallout from a specific decision made about the Glen Canyon Dam back in July 2024. They're required to create a formal agreement, known as a memorandum of understanding (MOU), to specifically analyze how that decision affects the Upper Colorado River Basin Fund. Think of this Fund as the bank account that pays for keeping essential water infrastructure running in the Upper Colorado River Basin.
Mapping the Ripple Effects
So, what exactly will this government study look at? According to Section 2 of the bill, the MOU needs to cover three key areas. First, it must assess how the dam decision impacts the Fund's core job: paying for the regular operations, necessary upkeep, and eventual replacement of critical water projects. Second, it has to tackle the effects on hydropower generation at Glen Canyon Dam. This includes looking at the costs of potentially replacing that power if generation drops and what it means for keeping the electricity grid stable. Finally, the study must determine how the decision has affected threatened or endangered species, specifically those listed under the Endangered Species Act.
Why This Study Matters
While the bill itself just mandates a study and planning process via the MOU, the findings could have significant real-world consequences down the line. This required analysis will delve into the tricky balance between managing water resources, generating power, protecting endangered species, and funding essential infrastructure in the Colorado River Basin. The bill notes that this Act doesn't change existing federal administrative procedures (under Title 5, U.S. Code), but the information gathered through the MOU is likely to shape future actions and debates about how the Glen Canyon Dam is operated and how the Basin Fund's resources are prioritized. How the study weighs impacts on hydropower versus endangered species, or operational costs versus environmental concerns, will be critical.