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Water for Conservation and Farming Act

USA117th CongressS-953| Senate 
| Updated: 5/25/2022
Ron Wyden

Ron Wyden

Democratic Senator

Oregon

Cosponsors (1)
Jeff Merkley (Democratic)

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 reauthorizes and expands existing water resources development programs, as well as establishes new programs. Specifically, the bill establishes the 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 Treasury 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 expands the allowable uses for grants under the WaterSMART program. Next, the bill revises the Reclamation Climate Change and Water program (which assesses the impact of climate change on water supplies) by requiring Reclamation to develop a strategy to address sustaining native biodiversity during periods of drought. The bill also reauthorizes through FY2028 the Fisheries Restoration and Irrigation Mitigation program (which funds fish passage projects in certain areas that drain into the Pacific Ocean). Finally, the bill 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 prepare plans to sustain the survival of critically important fisheries during periods of drought.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-4189
Water for Conservation and Farming Act
Mar 24, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Mar 24, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
May 25, 2022
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-4189
    Water for Conservation and Farming Act


  • March 24, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 24, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


  • May 25, 2022
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.

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

USA117th CongressS-953| Senate 
| Updated: 5/25/2022
Water for Conservation and Farming Act This bill establishes a funding source for certain water resources development projects in western states. The bill also reauthorizes and expands existing water resources development programs, as well as establishes new programs. Specifically, the bill establishes the 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 Treasury 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 expands the allowable uses for grants under the WaterSMART program. Next, the bill revises the Reclamation Climate Change and Water program (which assesses the impact of climate change on water supplies) by requiring Reclamation to develop a strategy to address sustaining native biodiversity during periods of drought. The bill also reauthorizes through FY2028 the Fisheries Restoration and Irrigation Mitigation program (which funds fish passage projects in certain areas that drain into the Pacific Ocean). Finally, the bill 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 prepare plans to sustain the survival of critically important fisheries during periods of drought.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-4189
Water for Conservation and Farming Act
Mar 24, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Mar 24, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
May 25, 2022
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-4189
    Water for Conservation and Farming Act


  • March 24, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 24, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


  • May 25, 2022
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
Ron Wyden

Ron Wyden

Democratic Senator

Oregon

Cosponsors (1)
Jeff Merkley (Democratic)

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