USDA Invests $21M To Improve Drought Resilience

In an effort to help farmers and ranchers conserve water and build drought resilience in their communities, the USDA in investing $21 million on a variety of projects across the Pacific Northwest. The effort is part of the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) collaboration with the Department of Interior’s (DOI) WaterSMART Initiative. According to USDA, these investments complement projects by irrigation districts, water suppliers and other organizations receiving WaterSMART Program funds from the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation.

As far as the PNW is concerned, Idaho will receive $3,417,000 while Washington will get $1,900,000.

Idaho projects include

King Hill Irrigation District in Elmore County
Preston East Lateral Area in Franklin County
St. John East Lateral Area in Oneida County
Twin Falls Service Area in Twin Falls County

And in Washington, projects include:

Kittitas Reclamation District in Kittitas County
Whitestone Reclamation District in Okanogan County

Other states awarded funds include Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, and California.

“The consequences of drought have continued to impact farms, ranches and communities across much of the West and other parts of the country,” NRCS Chief Terry Cosby said. “Drought is a complex challenge, and our collaboration on WaterSMART is part of our strategic approach to help producers conserve water and build resilience while also bringing important partners to the table. Bringing as many like-minded individuals and groups as possible to innovate together is our best solution for water management in the West.”

“Reclamation's collaboration with NRCS maximizes each agency’s investment in tackling conservation and building drought resiliency in the West,” said DOI Bureau of Reclamation Deputy Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton. “Earlier this year, Reclamation awarded $42.4 million to 55 WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Projects to support on-the-ground improvements to conserve water and build resilience to drought. Many of the projects announced by NRCS today will complement existing WaterSMART projects, maximizing the benefits of each agency’s conservation programs.”

In fiscal year 2022, NRCS will invest in 15 new priority areas and 25 existing priority areas in 13 states across the west.

Click Here to learn more about the WaterSMART project.

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