Multi-Species Conservation Program Act Reintroduced

U.S. Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) reintroduced S. 300, the Multi-Species Conservation Program Act, which is intended to protect Arizona’s wildlife & its habitat on the lower Colorado River by funding the federal government’s responsibility for the Multi-Species Conservation Program (MSCP). The MSCP Act was 1st introduced in Sept. 2006, but Congress adjourned before it could take action on the bill.

The legislation authorizes funds to cover the federal share of the program costs, directs the Secretary of Interior to manage & implement the MSCP in accordance with the underlying program documents, & provides a waiver of sovereign immunity so that the non-federal participants would be able to hold the U.S. government accountable for its obligations under that plan in court, if that became necessary.

The MSCP covers approx. 400 miles along the Colorado River in the states of Az., Ca., & Nev. The costs will be spread over 50 years, & be split 50-50 between the federal government & the non-federal entities involved in the program. The entities in Az. & Nevada will each bear 25% of the non-federal costs & the California entities will bear 50%.

The bill is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Harry Reid (D-NV), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), & John Ensign (R-NV).