Rep. Bentz pushes bill to give Oregon farmers more say in federal water decisions
WASHINGTON (KTVZ) -- The House Natural Resources Committee held a hearing today on H.R. 8259, the Federal Water Projects Consultation Improvement Act of 2026. This bill, sponsored by Rep. Cliff Bentz, aims to enhance the Endangered Species Act consultation process by requiring federal agencies to engage with local water users.
The legislation mandates that agencies, when requested during a Section 7 consultation under the Endangered Species Act, discuss and engage with water users who hold contracts under federal water projects.
The bill seeks to improve the Endangered Species Act consultation process by requiring agencies to inform and engage with individuals most familiar with the water supply. These water users, including farmers, ranchers, irrigation districts and rural communities, often possess detailed knowledge of water sources, diversion methods and delivery systems affecting species.
H.R. 8259 ensures that this local knowledge is considered as agencies implement the Endangered Species Act. The legislation also requires agencies, upon request, to provide early explanations of their analysis and conclusions. This allows for new information from those closest to the water to be incorporated into the agency's work product.
Rep. Bentz (OR-02), the bill's sponsor, emphasized the importance of local expertise. "The knowledge that water users have regarding their water sources and delivery systems is invaluable and essential to the proper application of the ESA," Bentz said. He added that the bill ensures the process is more responsive to local insights and better tailored to irrigation systems, ultimately improving species protection.
Elizabeth Nielsen, representing the Klamath Water User Association, thanked the Subcommittee for the opportunity to testify. Nielsen stated the bill "fills a critical gap in the Endangered Species Act consultation process by ensuring that federal water contractors and those they serve, including farmers and ranchers, are brought to the table when federal agencies make decisions that have direct and profound impacts on their operations, livelihoods and communities." She believes this legislation will lead to more transparent and inclusive processes, resulting in better-informed decisions and more durable outcomes.
Executive Director Samantha Barncastle for the Family Farm Alliance, highlighted the perspective of Western farmers and ranchers. "Western farmers and ranchers manage scarce irrigation water supplies daily yet are too often excluded from the ESA decisions that directly impact their operations," Barncastle said. She stressed that water contractors are essential partners and that collaborative decision-making is vital for protecting natural resources and agricultural communities.
H.R. 8259 applies to federal water projects managed by the Bureau of Reclamation across Western states. Access to water in these regions is crucial for agricultural production, local economies and the long-term stability of rural communities.
