The Senate on Wednesday approved a package of bills from the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, including legislation to shore up Colorado River water supplies and to expand a national park. Both Nevada Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto and Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski praised the bipartisan package. “I am hopeful that the Senate can pass more of these similar, very noncontroversial bills through the unanimous consent process,” Murkowski said on the Senate floor. … The measures include S. 154, the “Colorado River Basin System Conservation Extension Act,” from Colorado Democratic Sens. John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet. That bill would renew a $125 million effort to reduce water use in the Upper Basin of the Colorado River. That region covers parts of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

Other Colorado River Basin news:

• Arizona Daily Star (Tucson): Both big Colorado River reservoirs face possible crises in electricity production
• The Desert Review (Brawley, Calif.): California water agencies extend funding for Colorado River Board
• Arizona Daily Star (Tucson): Arizona water chief: Colorado River water releases should be based on reality
• The Hill: Colorado River ‘water market’ could bring security to farmers, fish and families: Study