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Congressman Scott Tipton and U.S. Senators Mark Udall and Michael Bennet are urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service to prioritize funding for its Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting Program. The program, which monitors snowpack in Colorado's mountains and helps water managers forecast supply issues before they occur, is in danger of losing funding due to looming budget cuts.

"In the face of prolonged drought, significant population growth and climate change, NRCS' snow program data provides vital information on precipitation and future water supplies essential for Colorado and the entire American West," the lawmakers wrote in the letter. "Our state contains nine major watersheds, each with its own distinct snowfall patterns and obligations to downstream states. For example, current water supplies across the state range from 100 percent of normal in some areas to 40 percent in others. The ability to accurately measure snowpack in each basin, using both SNOTEL and manual snow course data, is essential for water districts and municipalities to meet the demands of competing users."

To read the bipartisan letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, click HERE or scroll below:

Undersecretary Robert Bonnie
Undersecretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, DC 20250

Dear Undersecretary Bonnie:

We have been informed that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is contemplating a reduction in funding for the agency’s Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting Program, specifically the number of manual snow course measurement sites in Colorado and other western states, as one option to meet increasing budgetary constraints. As the congressional delegation from the headwaters state, we view this program as essential for the forecasting and management of our most precious resource.

In the face of prolonged drought, significant population growth and climate change, NRCS' snow program data provides vital information on precipitation and future water supplies essential for Colorado and the entire American West. Our state contains nine major watersheds, each with its own distinct snowfall patterns and obligations to downstream states. For example, current water supplies across the state range from 100 percent of normal in some areas to 40 percent in others. The ability to accurately measure snowpack in each basin, using both SNOTEL and manual snow course data, is essential for water districts and municipalities to meet the demands of competing users. Further, we know from the statewide water community that protecting both tools must be a priority, as automatic SNOTEL sites can often face mechanical failure mid-winter, leaving the manual snow courses as the only sources of reliable data to meet local demands and interstate compact deliveries.

Intelligent and thoughtful water supply planning is critical to ensure a prosperous future for Colorado and the West. We hope that USDA and NRCS will prioritize manual snow course measurement sites as they manage their budget for FY14 and prepare their budget for future years. We call on the USDA and NRCS to ensure that the voices of Coloradans are heard as budget priorities are determined and to thoroughly assess the impacts of proposed changes the Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting Program.

*Note: This release was sent jointly with the offices of Sens. Udall and Bennet.