WATER STRATEGIES, LLC

Support letter for Ted Cookes nomination as Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation to 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.

Support for the Water Conservation Rebate Tax Parity Act (H.R. 3205 / S. 1796). Advocacy for inclusion of water conservation rebates in federal tax parity language (aligned with energy efficiency rebates). Outreach to House Ways & Means Committee and Senate Finance Committee members, including Sen. Mike Crapo and Rep. Darrell Issa (WILTR Act). House Ways & Means: Senator Crapo: Tax Parity Act support.

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.

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. Coalition comment letter in support of the rescission of the ESA harm definition (Docket FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0034) submitted to USFWS and NMFS.

Analysis and advocacy related to the FY2025 continuing resolution and FY2026 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 FY2026 request ($600M reduction) and EPA SRF cuts.