Western Senators reintroduce legislation to protect private water rights

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo (both R-Idaho) joined Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR), reintroduced the Water Rights Protection Act, legislation to protect privately owned waters from being seized by the federal government.

“Private water rights and states’ ability to regulate them have been recognized since the West was settled. In Idaho, we’ve been managing water longer than we’ve been a state. Water is ingrained in everything from our industries to Idaho’s constitution. I’m proud to cosponsor the Water Rights Protection Act to protect Idaho’s right to Idaho water for generations to come,” said Risch.

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