What $4 billion gets you in a drought

Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities


** What the climate bill means for the Colorado River
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Thursday, August 11, 2022
Satellite images show the mineralized "bathtub ring" of Lake Mead as water levels drop. NASA Earth Observatory ([link removed])

The unprecedented climate bill that passed the Senate includes $4 billion in drought relief for Western states, thanks to a last-minute addition ([link removed]) championed by Senators Michael Bennet, Mark Kelly, Catherine Cortez-Masto, and Kyrsten Sinema.

The funds would be used to pay farmers to temporarily not plant crops, or pay residents to permanently remove lawns in favor of low-water xeriscaping. If the House passes the bill as expected this week, they will become law as the Bureau of Reclamation further cuts water allocations on the Colorado River in an attempt to stabilize Lake Mead and Lake Powell.

However, "this thing is getting worse so fast that those cuts don't stabilize the system," Sen. Kelly told CNN ([link removed]) . "We have to find more water to leave in Lake Mead and Lake Powell, but where does that water come from?"

In addition to buying or renting water rights in the Colorado River Basin, the $4 billion would also provide funding ([link removed]) for cities to cut back on water usage by funding low-flow toilets, water recycling, drip irrigation, and other conservation measures.


** Podcast: 20th century conservation heroes Avis and Bernard DeVoto
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The latest episode of CWP's podcast ([link removed]) , The Landscape, features a conversation with author Nate Schweber about This America of Ours ([link removed]) , a profile of 20th century conservation heroes Avis and Bernard DeVoto. The DeVotos thwarted a plot to privatize millions of acres of public land, then fought off an attempt to dam the Green River inside Dinosaur National Monument. Listen now ([link removed]) and subscribe on Apple Podcasts ([link removed]) .

If you're a regular or occasional listener of The Landscape, please take our listener survey ([link removed]) ! We want to know what you enjoy and what you'd like to hear more of on the show.
Quick hits


** Interior Department backtracks on public comment period for Willow Project in Alaksa
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Grist ([link removed])


** Research finds Wyoming winter sage-grouse protections start too late
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Wyofile ([link removed])


** Judge scuttles coal, oil, and gas leasing plan for Powder River Basin
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Grist ([link removed])


** Colorado approves first comprehensive oil and gas drilling plan under new regulations
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Colorado Sun ([link removed])


** How $4 billion in drought relief funds could be used
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CNN ([link removed]) | Colorado Sun ([link removed]) | Yahoo! News ([link removed])


** New report highlights disease risks at Utah wild horse facilities
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Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])


** Yellowstone park ranger honored for 50 years of service
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Lynden Tribune ([link removed])


** Too darn hot: How summer outdoor stages are threatened by climate change
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New York Times ([link removed])
Quote of the day
” In 1971, my first summer, my parents came here and visited. I have such great memories of going out in Yellowstone Lake in a little 14-foot boat with a gigantic 10-horse [power] motor on it. Which I thought that was a big motor at that time, going out fishing, and we caught so many fish. It was just a neat experience. Today, fast forward 50 years, I’m in a boat that’s two feet longer — a much better boat, much bigger motor. I’m now with my grandkids and my daughter, and we’re fishing in the same place where I fished with my dad and mom 50 years ago. That is cause for reflection and thankfulness.”
—Yellowstone National Park Ranger Harlan Kredit, Lynden Tribune ([link removed])
Picture this


** @USFWSRefuges ([link removed])
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When I text you “🌳🌅📸” it means come to a National #WildlifeRefuge ([link removed]) with me so we can take a selfies together in nature. [link removed] ([link removed]) 📸: Lisa Hupp/
@USFWS ([link removed])

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