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Contact: Scott Faber 202 387-3500
David Cherry 202 387-3500
The Senate today approved by a
55-45 vote a new water conservation program to help resolve
conflicts between farmers and endangered fish.
Environmental Defense applauded Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), who
led efforts to protect the water conservation provisions of the Farm
Bill from being removed during debate on the Senate floor. Joining
Reid in supporting the amendment were Senators Snowe (R-ME), Collins
(R-ME), Smith (R-NH), Gregg (R-NH), Chafee (R-RI), Specter (R-PA),
Warner (R-VA), Carnahan (D-MO), and Fitzgerald (R-IL).
"Senator Reid's water conservation provisions will give states
valuable new resources to resolve conflicts between farmers and
endangered fish," said Environmental Defense water resources
specialist Scott Faber.
One part of the Reid amendment will provide $375 million to seven
states (CA, WA, OR, NM, NV, NH and ME) over five years to lease or
buy water rights to help endangered fish, and to share the cost of
irrigation efficiency infrastructure, provided that most "conserved"
water is used to provide adequate stream flows for fish. Under the
second provision, $625 million will be available to pay farmers more
for a conservation easement if they voluntarily lease water rights
to the state.
"Today, freshwater species are disappearing five times faster
than North America's mammals and birds, and inadequate stream flow
is among the leading threats -- especially in western states," Faber
said.
"Obtaining additional water through leasing will help endangered
fish by ensuring that streams have enough water to support aquatic
life during dry periods, and by restoring seasonal high flows."
Providing adequate stream flows helps maintain dissolved oxygen
levels, keeps water temperatures cool, and provides fish sufficient
range to find food and spawning habitat. Restoring seasonal high
flows will restore important spawning and migration cues, restore
access to floodplain and side channel spawning areas, aid the
migration of species like salmon, and enhance the ability of rivers
to create new sandbars, islands, and side channels through the
erosion and deposition of sediment.
### Environmental Defense, a leading national
nonprofit organization based in New York, represents more than
300,000 members. Since 1967 we have linked science, economics, and
law to create innovative, equitable, and cost-effective solutions to
the most urgent environmental problems. | 
