Interior official says Bureau of Reclamation budgeting pressures drove pause to WaterSMART funding; lawmakers press for answers

WASHINGTON — Members of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee pressed the Department of the Interior on Thursday over reports that the Biden administration’s successor paused funding commitments under the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART program. Rep. Maxwell Rivas and others said awardees were in the final stages of signing agreements when they were told funding would be cut or delayed.

Dustin Scheer, senior adviser to the assistant secretary for water and science, told the committee that budget targets set by the Office of Management and Budget force the department to make ‘‘hard decisions’’ and prioritize the bureau’s ‘‘core missions’’ of storage, conveyance and power. He said Reclamation is ‘‘continuously evaluating’’ projects and offered to follow up with members on the specific project lists and timelines for release of funds. Scheer did not provide a firm timeline at the hearing but committed to tracking letters and providing a response.

Rep. Rivas said several projects were ‘‘already approved for funding’’ and at the agreement-signing stage when they were paused; she told the department she had submitted a June 6 letter and had not received a response. Scheer said he would find and respond to the member’s letter as quickly as possible. Several members warned that withholding WaterSMART funds could increase the wildfire and water-risk exposure of communities and increase household costs for water.

No formal policy or funding decision was adopted at the hearing. Members indicated they expect written follow-up from Interior and may pursue oversight if awardees do not receive timely answers.