American Rivers Statement on President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Proposal

Congress must advance critical funding for clean water 

Contact: Amy Souers Kober, 503-708-1145 

The Biden Administration released its FY2025 budget proposal to Congress which serves as the start of the upcoming fiscal year’s funding process. The budget proposal requests $7.3 trillion and outlines specific priorities for each federal agency and department. In terms of spending, the budget includes $1.67 trillion in discretionary spending with $895 billion for defense programs, and $621 billion for domestic spending.  

Key highlights for rivers include funding to protect the Colorado River, prioritizing the restoration of healthy and abundant wild salmon, steelhead, and other native fish populations in the Columbia River Basin, investing in critical water infrastructure, addressing environmental injustices, advancing climate science, and protecting streams and wetlands in light of the Supreme Court’s Sackett v EPA ruling. 

In response to the release of President Biden’s FY25 spending proposal, American Rivers issued the following statement from President and CEO, Tom Kiernan:  

“Rivers provide the clean water our communities need to thrive, but our nation’s rivers are at risk. The President’s Budget takes these matters seriously. We’re particularly thankful the proposal ensures agencies have the funding they need to succeed in river restoration efforts. These priorities align with our FY25 River Budget which was endorsed by 156 partners including utility and state agency associations, fishing groups, small businesses, rural communities, public health organizations, environmental justice leaders, and more.”  

“Communities need action on clean water and solutions in the face of increasing droughts, floods, and wildfires. Today, we turn to Congress to protect and restore rivers by passing a budget on time without delay. Healthy rivers are a direct reflection of communities and the commitments we make together to solve challenges. We applaud the Biden’s Administration commitment to clean rivers and people.” 

Specifically, the President’s Budget includes: 

• $17.8 billion to the Department of Interior to advance western water infrastructure, address severe drought in the Colorado River and more. 
• More than $200 million for healthy and abundant wild native fish in the Columbia River system through the Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. 
• $2.4 billion for State Revolving Funds at EPA to support drinking water and clean water as well as $30 million for a new program that addresses gaps in federal response to water-related infrastructure emergencies. 
• Nearly $1.5 billion across EPA in support of environmental justice and a new categorical grant program to develop Direct Implementation Tribal Cooperative Agreements to carry out climate programs in Indian Country. 

About American Rivers  

American Rivers is championing a national effort to protect and restore all rivers, from remote mountain streams to urban waterways. Healthy rivers provide people and nature with clean, abundant water and natural habitat. For 50 years, American Rivers staff, supporters, and partners have shared a common belief: Life Depends on Rivers. For more information, please visit www.AmericanRivers.org