A federal freeze on spending for Southwestern water conservation projects called vital to protecting Lake Mead and the Colorado River appears to be over, two months after it began, many state, local and tribal officials say. Officials from Arizona and California water agencies have said in the past week that the money appears to be flowing again. It is considered crucial for compensating cities and farms for leaving Colorado River water in Lake Mead. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation confirmed Wednesday that it has approved release of previously frozen money to the Gila River Indian Community, which owns Arizona’s largest share of river water rights. Reclamation said it “will continue to engage” with other entities “as we work together to efficiently use water in the Colorado River Basin.”

Other federal funding news:

• National Public Radio: Wildlife, water safety at risk due to DOGE budget cuts
• NBC News: Fired workers are reinstated at NOAA, creating confusion on the heels of severe storms
• Grist: You rely on this agency’s data for weather and climate forecasts. DOGE is decimating its workforce.
• Comstock’s magazine (Sacramento, Calif.): Hydrologic Engineering Center in Davis to keep federal government lease
• Contractor Magazine: Water sector pushes for increased funding amid federal budget cuts
• E&E News by Politico: Trump 1.0 promoted aquaculture spending. What now?