Federal Water Projects Consultation Improvement Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Bentz
In Committee
Summary
Establishes mandatory, structured consultation rights for local water contractors during Endangered Species Act Section 7 reviews of Federal Reclamation projects. This bill would require agencies to give covered entities routine opportunities to provide information, review drafts, and be informed if proposed actions would not deliver full contracted water.
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- Water contractors and local water districts: If they request participation, they would get chances to discuss and submit information during biological assessments, receive schedules for assessments and biological opinions, and review and comment on draft biological opinions.
- Federal action agencies: Agency heads would have to enable engagement, explain the legal basis when proposed actions could reduce contract deliveries, and show how any proposed reasonable and prudent alternatives or measures would avoid jeopardy or minimize take with supporting scientific data.
- Endangered species reviews: The bill would codify a policy linking agency decisions to protection of threatened and endangered species and critical habitat and require explicit consideration and explanation of alternatives and measures that affect jeopardy, take, and habitat outcomes.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More consultation for water contractors
This bill would give public water agencies and water users with Bureau of Reclamation contracts new consultation rights. Covered entities that ask would be able to submit information and take part in creating biological assessments. They would get the schedule for assessments and opinions, receive draft biological opinions, and have time to review and comment. Agencies would have to explain any proposed action that would reduce contracted water and explain suggested alternatives, measures, and the scientific support. The bill would also define who counts as a covered entity and what "engage" means under the Endangered Species Act.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Bentz
OR • R
Cosponsors
Fulcher
ID • R
Sponsored 4/14/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov