The Natural Resources Conservation Service has named 15 new areas of priority for their WaterSMART initiative.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $21 million as part of the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) in collaboration with the Department of Interior’s (DOI) WaterSMART Initiative.
“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 in a press release. “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.”
The priority areas that NRCS will focus on investing in for FY 2022 are California, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. The NRCS will also invest in 25 existing priority areas in addition to the 15.
The $21 million will complement the projects receiving WaterSMART Program funding already through the DOI's Bureau of Reclamation.
