USDA is investing $21 million as part of the Natural Resource Conservation Service’s (NRCS) collaboration with the Department of Interior’s (DOI) WaterSMART Initiative to help farmers and ranchers conserve water and build drought resilience in their communities.
These investments complement projects by irrigation districts, water suppliers and other organizations receiving WaterSMART program funds from the DOI’s Bureau of Reclamation (BOR).
“Earlier this year, (BOR) 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,” said BOR Deputy Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton.
Private land managers such as farmers and ranchers can leverage the money and resources of irrigation districts, water districts and other organizations with water delivery authority in their community.
