System Conservation Pilot Program (SCPP)

The System Conservation Pilot Program (SCPP) is an opportunity for temporary, voluntary, and compensated reduction in consumptive use (or depletion) of agricultural, municipal, or industrial water in the Upper Colorado River Basin.

SCPP is administered by the Upper Colorado River Commission in Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico, and the Colorado River Authority of Utah facilitates SCPP in Utah. SCPP is funded by Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 allocations to the Bureau of
Reclamation.

System Conservation Pilot Program for 2024

SCPP 2024 will narrow and focus the scope of eligible projects to those that:

  1. Enable exploration of Demand Management feasibility and/or
  2. Support innovation and local resiliency in water conservation

Lessons learned from SCPP 2023 will be applied to the 2024 program, including:

  1. Timing: start processes in fall (early October)
  2. Pricing: provide firm fixed pricing at the outset (partnership with Reclamation)
  3. Conserved Consumptive Use: provide clarity on calculations used for CCU and compensation
  4. Messaging: provide consistent, persistent, and clear outreach to avoid/correct mischaracterization and conflicting information
  5. Transparency: improve clarity regarding purpose, approach, and review processes, provide FAQs and “map” steps

Some important concepts to note about SCPP in 2024:

  1. SCPP is not Demand Management. SCPP for 2024 is a re-authorization and re-initiation of the SCPP of 2015-2018 and 2023. A Demand Management Program is contemplated under the Demand Management Storage Agreement (DMSA) framework, which is part of the Upper Basin Drought Contingency Plans (DCP). Learn more here.
  2. There is no target volume for conservation for SCPP 2024 participation.
  3. Based on “Lessons Learned” from the SCPP in 2023, a new compensation approach will be used in 2024 based on $/ac-ft by project type and by state.

Information Sessions

Several information sessions will be held for SCPP 2024. Attending one or more sessions is recommended but not required for project proponents. Webinar recordings will be posted here when available.

  • Friday, October 27, 2023, 10:00 AM
    • Host: Upper Colorado River Commission
    • Location: Webinar (link to recording)
    • Topic: Kick-Off and 4-State Program Information
  • Friday, November 3, 2023, 12:00 PM
    • Host: Colorado River Authority of Utah
    • Location: Webinar (link to recording)
    • Topic: Utah-Specific Information and Q&A
  • Monday, November 6, 2023, 6:00 PM
    • Host: Colorado River Authority of Utah
    • Location: In-Person, Green River City Hall
    • Topic: Utah-Specific Information and Q&A
  • Tuesday, November 7, 2023, 6:00 PM
    • Host: Colorado River Authority of Utah
    • Location: In-Person, Utah State University- Eastern, Price, Alumni Room
    • Topic: Utah-Specific Information and Q&A
    • Wednesday, November 8, 2023, 6:00 PM
      • Host: Colorado River Authority of Utah
      • Location: In-Person, Vernal Regional Department of Natural Resources Office
      • Topic: Utah-Specific Information and Q&A
    • Thursday, November 9, 2023, 1:00 PM
      • Host: Upper Colorado River Commission
      • Location: Webinar (link to webinar)
      • Topic: 4-State Program and Application Information
    • Thursday, November 9, 2023, 4:00 PM
      • Host: Colorado River Authority of Utah
      • Location: In-Person, Utah State University - Uintah Basin, Roosevelt
      • Topic: Utah-Specific Information and Q&A
    • Thursday, November 9, 2023, 6:00 PM
      • Host: Colorado River Authority of Utah
      • Location: In-Person, Duchesne, Central Utah Water Conservancy District
      • Topic: Utah-Specific Information and Q&A
    • Friday, December 1, 2023,  12:00 PM
      • Host: Colorado River Authority of Utah
      • Location: Webinar (link to recording)
      • Topic: Office-Hours Style Q&A for Project Proponents
    • Thursday, December 7, 2023,  11:00 AM
      • Host: Upper Colorado River Commission
      • Location: Webinar (link to webinar)
      • Topic: 4-State Program and Application Information
    Propose A Project (2024 Deadline Passed)
    • The deadline to apply for projects in 2024 has passed (December 18, 2023).
    • Application review will take place through February 2024. Agreements for selected projects will be executed in March 2024.

      Contacts

      • Colorado River Authority of Utah SCPP Coordinator:

      Wilson Water Group SCPP Contact Brenna Mefford: (303) 953-1923

          FAQ's