WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Barrasso , R-Wyo., today expressed deep concerns with the “SECURE Water Act,” S. 2156, saying the bill could lead to countless lawsuits and uncertainty for Western landowners, businesses, and local governments.

“I believe this bill, which comes at sizable cost to the Wyoming taxpayer, could open the door to environmental lawsuits on existing habitat restoration plans,” Barrasso said.

The bill would establish a new Climate Change Adaptation Program to analyze the changes in water supply due to global warming on endangered species.

“As a result of this bill, Wyoming ’s ranchers and communities could be at risk of becoming endangered species themselves.”

“We have a long history in this country of recognizing state’s primacy over water rights and the management of these resources,” Barrasso continued. “Instead, we should be looking at ways to increase water storage for Wyoming ranchers and communities.”

“The bill fails to address current needs while creating more bureaucratic red-tape through the establishment of two new federal panels and a host of new federal grant programs.”

“This is an area where the federal government should take a back seat, and assist states in developing their own plan,” Barrasso continued. “ Wyoming state agencies have qualified folks more than ready to accomplish this task.”

“I am working on legislation to tackle this issue and streamline the regulatory process to ease the development of water storage. I plan to introduce the bill early next year.”