H.R. 5217

Water Optimization for the West Act or the WOW Act

This bill addresses issues related to water projects in the Western States. Among other things, the bill

• makes the Bureau of Reclamation the lead agency for coordinating permitting activities required for the construction of certain new surface-water storage projects,
• directs the bureau to convey certain facilities and easements to the Kennewick Irrigation District in Washington State,
• redirects Department of Transportation funds previously intended for high-speed rail development in California to the Department of the Interior for certain water-related programs,
• gives the Fish and Wildlife Service the sole authority to protect endangered or threatened fish species that are anadromous species or catadromous species,
• authorizes the use of certain bureau facilities to convey water to recharge certain aquifers, and
• prohibits Interior or the Department of Agriculture from requiring a water user to apply for or acquire a water right in order to obtain certain permits or licenses.