Peace Garden News

U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer and Jeff Merkley have requested an update from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) regarding the establishment of the Western Water Cooperative Committee (WWCC). The committee was mandated by the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2022, which included bipartisan support from both senators. The WWCC is intended to ensure that USACE flood control projects in western states comply with congressional directives and respect state water rights and laws.

The legislation for the WWCC was signed into law in December 2022, and Congress fully funded it in March 2024. Despite this, the committee has yet to be established more than six months later.

During a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing in February, Senator Cramer asked Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Mike Connor for a status update on the WWCC. Connor responded, “We’re teed up ready to go, but we do need the resources to implement.” Shortly thereafter, Congress provided full funding for the committee.

In their letter to USACE, Senators Cramer and Merkley emphasized the importance of establishing the WWCC: “The Committee was created to ensure Army Corps water projects in Western states adhere to applicable state water rights and water laws,” they wrote. They further noted that it would provide a vital platform for dialogue between western states and the Army Corps.

The senators requested an update within 30 days on implementing WRDA 2022's directive and a timeline for when the committee will be formally established and hold its first meeting.