Recent policy engagement
USGS
ICWP’s membership have a vested interest in ensuring the longevity and effectiveness of programs under the USGS water mission area. The following are the three main program areas upon which we regularly engage.
Streamgaging Program
3D Elevation Program (3DEP)
Water Use & Data Research (WUDR) Program
Corps of Engineers
Project Partnership Agreements (PPAs)
A PPA is a legally binding agreement between the Government and a non-Federal sponsor (state, municipal government, flood control district, port authority, etc.) for construction of a water resources project. It describes the project and the responsibilities of the Government and the non-Federal sponsor in the cost sharing and execution of work.
On behalf of our members, ICWP seeks a shared approach to liability where each party is responsible. We seek opportunities to improve the ability of non-federal partners to be active equals on Corps-partnered projects.
Water Resources Development Act
This key biannual legislation addresses water infrastructure funding and policy, as well as U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) projects. ICWP regularly weighs in on the provisions for this important biennial legislative package.
WRDA 2022
WRDA 2020
NOAA
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides many key resources for water managers. ICWP membership supports NOAA’s efforts on precipitation forecasts, climate prediction, environmental modeling, and hurricane forecasting.
Subseasonal to Seasonal (S2S) Forecasting
Water Data
The purpose of this bill is to harness the power of data to transform water management across the United States. ICWP supports this legislation that seeks to build on successes that have already been piloted in New Mexico, California and Arizona to develop a coordinated approach across agencies that collect water data. The bill would direct the agencies to bring their data and tools together in coordination with state, tribal and local stakeholders to develop systems that will help transform water management.
Resiliency
Our organization has joined forces in support of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Resiliency Coalition, where multiple national organizations strongly support legislation and funding for climate risk mitigation. This includes statements in support of federal investments for disaster mitigation, climate adaptation, and resilient infrastructure.
Federal Water Agency Sub-Cabinet
One of the significant values to ICWP membership is the regular opportunity to interact and engage with federal agencies. ICWP, alongside the Western States Water Council and National Water Supply Alliance, host an annual roundtable opportunity in Washington DC to interact with the agencies. Below is a recent follow-up letter on the Federal Water Sub-Cabinet engagement following our most recent roundtable.
Water Quality
Waters of the United States (WOTUS)
Protecting wetlands and streams is an issue that has been hotly debated since the Clean Water Act’s passage in 1972. Through the years, the question has triggered regulatory back-and-forth. ICWP has weighed in on this issue a number of times during each rulemaking revision with an interest in protecting the sovereign and co-regulator status of states and transparent stakeholder engagement.