The Interior Department on Tuesday signed a 50-year, $620 million project aimed at restoring habitat and protecting endangered species on the drought-plagued lower Colorado River.

Four tribes that depend on the river were involved in the planning of the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program. It would create more than 8,100 acres of new marshes, forests and pools to harbor 31 endangered species.

The department will provide half of the funding while the states of Nevada, California and Arizona will provide the other half.

Get the Story:
Effort to Renew Colorado River Launched (The Washington Post 9/15)
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Norton signs plan for species protection (AP 9/15)
Secretary Norton Signs Agreement for Multi-Species Conservation Program on Lower Colorado River (DOI 9/14)

Relevant Links:
Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program - http://www.lcrmscp.org