The U.S. Department of the Interior has revealed it will invest $84 million for drought resiliency projects in eight Western states.
In a Dec. 22 news release, the department said the funding is part of President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will be used to help 36 communities.
“As climate change exacerbates drought impacts throughout the western United States, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is advancing our work to invest in innovative, locally led water infrastructure projects and provide clean, reliable water to families and communities across the country,” said assistant secretary for water and science Tanya Trujillo in the release. “[The] funding will assist our local partners as they work to build drought resilience and improve water security for their community.”
According to the Department of the Interior, investments will go toward projects involving water reuse, dam safety, water conservation, aquatic ecosystems restoration, desalination construction, watershed health and groundwater storage.
"Drought resilience is more important now ever as the West is experiencing more severe and longer droughts," said Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton in the release. "This investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in locally led projects will help solidify community's water supplies and allow families and farmers to respond to the challenges posed by drought."
The projects selected for funding were announced Dec. 22 and were in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Washington.
