NATIONAL WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION

NAT · Natural Resources

Track and report on Bureau of Reclamation policy, funding, and program developments affecting western water infrastructure, drought response, hydropower, WaterSMART, Title XVI, aging infrastructure, and project delivery. Assist in communications with the Bureau of Reclamation regarding Reclamation leadership participation and individual member meetings at NWRAs Annual Conference. Track and report on Reclamations Colorado River Basin Post-2026 operations documents, including the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision. Advocate for west-wide drought response funding, including infrastructure improvements, short-term voluntary reductions, water efficiency, managed aquifer recharge, salinity control, and hydropower reliability. Track and report on federal water program materials affecting Reclamation, Corps, USDA, EPA, and western water infrastructure programs.

AGR · Agriculture

Track and report on Farm Bill and related agriculture policy discussions affecting irrigation infrastructure, conservation programs, forest management, drought response, and USDA water programs. Track and report on Senate Farm Bill discussions and provisions affecting EQIP, RCPP, watershed programs, and other USDA conservation funding priorities. Assist in communications with Congressional offices and partner organizations regarding Farm Bill issues affecting western water users and agricultural water supply reliability.

ENV · Environment/Superfund

Track and report on National Environmental Policy Act implementation, Reclamation procedures, and related federal permitting issues affecting water project delivery. Assist in communications with Reclamation and Family Farm Alliance regarding NWRAs NEPA webinar addressing recent CEQ and Department of the Interior NEPA updates. Track and report on Secretarial Order 3452 and Section 106 review issues affecting recurring water infrastructure activities, exemptions, programmatic agreements, and related project delivery tools. Track and report on Endangered Species Act issues affecting Reclamation contractors and operators, including applicant status concerns and consultation procedures. Prepare and coordinate NWRA comments regarding the proposed rescission of the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Track and report on federal permitting reform proposals affecting western water infrastructure, Reclamation projects, NEPA, ESA, and related project delivery requirements.

BUD · Budget/Appropriations

Track and report on FY2027 appropriations and continuing resolution developments affecting Bureau of Reclamation, USDA conservation programs, State Revolving Fund programs, wildfire funding, and other federal water infrastructure priorities. Track and report on proposed revisions to federal grant rules under 2 CFR and potential impacts to water infrastructure recipients, Reclamation programs, NRCS conservation programs, cost-reimbursement contracts, and mid-award condition changes. Assist in communications with Congressional offices and partner organizations regarding west-wide drought response funding and related Reclamation funding priorities. Track and report on budget and funding discussions affecting Reclamation, drought response, hydropower, water infrastructure, and western resource management.

CAW · Clean Air and Water (quality)

Track and report on Waters of the United States developments, including the administrations supplemental rulemaking following the Supreme Courts Sackett decision. Assist in communications with NWRA Federal Affairs Committee members regarding potential NWRA comments on the proposed Waters of the United States supplemental rule. Track and report on Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, State Revolving Fund, PFAS, cybersecurity, desalination, and water infrastructure legislation affecting western water providers. Track and report on House Energy and Commerce Committee activity related to drinking water infrastructure, data center water demand, cost recovery, and related water supply implications.

TRA · Transportation

Track and report on development of the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 and related Corps of Engineers water infrastructure provisions. Assist in communications with House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Senate Environment and Public Works Committee staff regarding WRDA 2026 priorities. Advocate for exclusion of Section 120 of the House WRDA bill from any final WRDA agreement. Assist in communications with NWRA members and partner organizations regarding WRDA conference negotiations and Section 120 concerns affecting authorized project purposes, state water rights, existing contracts, cost allocations, and affected non-Federal interests.