Drought Resilient Infrastructure Act of 2024

The Drought Resilient Infrastructure Act of 2024 requires U.S. Army Corps of Engineers water projects to prioritize water conservation and supply during droughts, including using natural solutions like aquifer recharge and native plant restoration. It authorizes $35 million annually for drought resilience projects, with local partners covering 35% of costs for initiatives like sediment management and invasive species removal. The bill mandates updating project operations to focus on drought response, while ensuring coordination with states and compliance with existing water rights. It specifically directs modifications for Corps projects in Colorado River Basin states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming) to include water supply as a project purpose. The law also allocates $5 million yearly for emergency drought operations and requires forecast-informed reservoir management.