Water Strategies, LLC

Support letter for Ted Cookes nomination as Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation to the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee. Skagit Consortium coalition letter urging NMFS and USACE to rescind the 2022 ESA Memo and 2018 WCR Guidance as inconsistent with statute and burdensome to critical water infrastructure. Continued monitoring and engagement on Colorado River post-2026 operating guidelines, extended repayment policies, and project-level concerns. Senate ENR Majority staff meetings - FOFA, USFS staff reorganization, Senate confirmations. House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water Majority and Minority staff meetings.

Support for the Water Conservation Rebate Tax Parity Act (H.R. 1871 / S. 857). Support for the Water and Agriculture Tax Reform (WATR) Act. Support for the Wildfire Infrastructure and Landowner Tax Relief (WILTR) Act. Advocacy for inclusion of water conservation, infrastructure, and wildfire resilience incentives in federal tax parity language. Outreach to House Ways & Means Committee and Senate Finance Committee members, including Sen. Mike Crapo and Rep. Darrell Issa (WILTR Act).

Coalition support for the Fix Our Forests Act (FOFA) with House Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman and Rep. Scott Peters. Coordination with partners including Family Farm Alliance and Western Governors Association. Additional coalition letters submitted to Senate and House Agriculture Committees regarding wildfire and forest watershed policy implications. House Agriculture Committee Majority staff meetings - Farm Bill, FOFA.

Support for H.R. 1897 - Endangered Species Act Amendments Act of 2025. Advocacy to House Natural Resources Committee for greater local stakeholder input and ESA implementation reform. Coalition support letter to House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee for increased USGS streamgage funding. Support for the nomination of Jessica Kramer to lead EPA Office of Water (letter to Senate Environment & Public Works Committee). Monitoring Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) rulemaking on NEPA revisions and categorical exclusions.

Analysis and advocacy related to the FY 2025 continuing resolution and FY 2026 budget/appropriations process. Support letters submitted to House and Senate Appropriations Committees requesting full or increased funding for: Bureau of Reclamation (Energy & Water Subcommittees) EPA SRF programs (Interior Subcommittees) WaterSMART and Cooperative Watershed Management programs. Opposition to proposed BOR budget cuts in FY 2026 request ($600M reduction) and EPA SRF cuts. BOR meetings with leadership - FFA/NWRA OM&R recommendations. BOR meetings with leadership - FFA/NWRA NEPA recommendations.