An executive order signed by President Donald Trump has sparked concerns for millions of Americans -- freezing $4 billion in funding meant to protect the Colorado River and potentially jeopardizing crucial water conservation efforts.
The funds, allocated through the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, were earmarked to support programs that encourage farmers and tribal nations to conserve water by leaving it in the river, helping preserve its vital flow.
The Colorado River, which provides drinking water to about 40 million people across seven states, is already grappling with a severe water shortage due to prolonged droughts and overuse. The $4 billion allocated under the Inflation Reduction Act was meant to help reverse some of these impacts by funding vital conservation efforts. Without it, smaller watershed groups, conservation projects and communities that depend on the river face an uncertain future.
"If there's no funding, there will be no conservation," Bart Fisher, who sits on the board of the Palo Verde Irrigation District in California, told NPR.
The "Unleashing American Energy" executive order, signed on the first day of Trump's presidency, aims to boost America's energy independence by ending what he called "burdensome" regulations. However, the directive also mandates the immediate halt of all fund disbursements from the Inflation Reduction Act, including those aimed at securing the Colorado River's survival.
The river plays a crucial role not only as a water source but also in sustaining agriculture and hydroelectric power generation in the Southwest. With the pause in funding, these industries face the risk of further depletion of the river, impacting both local economies and broader national energy strategies.
Experts warn that if conservation measures falter, the sustainability of the Colorado River could be jeopardized, leading to serious consequences for the millions who rely on it daily. The river has been shrinking for years due to long-term drought and climate change -- and if water levels continue to drop, there's a real threat of losing hydropower generation from the large dams or even being unable to release water downstream.
Smaller watershed groups and conservation projects that rely on federal funding are facing uncertainty and potential program pauses, which could have far-reaching economic impacts on communities dependent on the Colorado River.
"Having this appropriated funding suddenly taken away undoes years and years of very careful collaboration among the states in the Colorado River Basin, and threatens the sustainability of the entire system," Anne Castle, who held federal water policy roles during the Biden and Obama administrations, told NPR.
The Arizona Star reported that the White House budget office issued a memo stating the freeze primarily affects energy-related projects and policies, particularly those discouraging fossil fuel use. However, neither the executive order nor the memo mentioned water conservation efforts or the Colorado River -- leaving many questions unanswered.
A spokeswoman from the Interior Department told The Star that, "The Department of the Interior continues to review funding decisions to ensure they align with the President's executive orders. This ongoing review complies with all applicable laws, regulations, and orders." The statement did not clarify whether the funds are being frozen or withheld -- and when pressed, the spokeswoman said the department had no further comment.