Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Water and Power Subcommittee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
Water for Conservation and Farming Act This bill establishes a funding source for certain water resources development projects in western states. The bill also establishes new water resources development programs, as well as reauthorizes and expands existing ones. Specifically, the bill establishes a Bureau of Reclamation Infrastructure Fund to fund water-related programs, including water reclamation and reuse projects, dam safety projects, and the WaterSMART program (which provides assistance to eligible government entities to increase water supply). Each year from FY2031-FY2061, the Department of the Interior must deposit $300 million of revenues into this fund that would otherwise be deposited into the Reclamation Fund (which currently funds irrigation works in western states). The bill also reauthorizes through FY2025 the WaterSMART program and expands the program, including by expanding the types of entities eligible for assistance. In addition, the bill reauthorizes through FY2024 the Cooperative Watershed Management Program (which provides assistance to watershed groups to address water management needs) and expands the program to include projects that generate environmental benefits. The bill also establishes new programs directed at western states to provide assistance to agricultural producers to create and maintain waterbird and shorebird habitats, award grants to eligible government entities and nonprofit conservation organizations for habitat restoration projects that improve watershed health, and provide assistance to eligible government entities and nonprofit organizations for aquatic ecosystem and restoration projects.
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Timeline
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4227)
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 116-375.
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4227)
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 116-375.
Water Resources Development
Agricultural conservation and pollutionAgricultural prices, subsidies, creditAir qualityAlternative and renewable resourcesAquatic ecologyBirdsClimate change and greenhouse gasesCongressional oversightDams and canalsEcologyFarmlandFishesGovernment trust fundsHunting and fishingLakes and riversMarine and coastal resources, fisheriesOutdoor recreationWater resources fundingWatershedsWater storageWater use and supplyWetlandsWildlife conservation and habitat protection
Water for Conservation and Farming Act
USA116th CongressS-4189| Senate
| Updated: 7/22/2020
Water for Conservation and Farming Act This bill establishes a funding source for certain water resources development projects in western states. The bill also establishes new water resources development programs, as well as reauthorizes and expands existing ones. Specifically, the bill establishes a Bureau of Reclamation Infrastructure Fund to fund water-related programs, including water reclamation and reuse projects, dam safety projects, and the WaterSMART program (which provides assistance to eligible government entities to increase water supply). Each year from FY2031-FY2061, the Department of the Interior must deposit $300 million of revenues into this fund that would otherwise be deposited into the Reclamation Fund (which currently funds irrigation works in western states). The bill also reauthorizes through FY2025 the WaterSMART program and expands the program, including by expanding the types of entities eligible for assistance. In addition, the bill reauthorizes through FY2024 the Cooperative Watershed Management Program (which provides assistance to watershed groups to address water management needs) and expands the program to include projects that generate environmental benefits. The bill also establishes new programs directed at western states to provide assistance to agricultural producers to create and maintain waterbird and shorebird habitats, award grants to eligible government entities and nonprofit conservation organizations for habitat restoration projects that improve watershed health, and provide assistance to eligible government entities and nonprofit organizations for aquatic ecosystem and restoration projects.
Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Water and Power Subcommittee
Water Resources Development
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
Agricultural conservation and pollutionAgricultural prices, subsidies, creditAir qualityAlternative and renewable resourcesAquatic ecologyBirdsClimate change and greenhouse gasesCongressional oversightDams and canalsEcologyFarmlandFishesGovernment trust fundsHunting and fishingLakes and riversMarine and coastal resources, fisheriesOutdoor recreationWater resources fundingWatershedsWater storageWater use and supplyWetlandsWildlife conservation and habitat protection