Ciscomani Leads Bipartisan Push to Improve Drought and Flood Resiliency Efforts

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06) this week led a bipartisan group of his colleagues on legislation to support drought and flood resiliency across the country by improving a watershed program under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

The Healthy Watershed, Healthy Communities Act focuses on the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations program, known as “PL-566”. The legislation aims to improve the PL-566 program by streamlining the program’s planning and administrative processes and creating parity in funding allocations between southwest states and other areas of the country. 

Ciscomani is joined on the legislation by Reps. Yadira Caraveo (D-CO-08), Harriet Hageman (R-WY-AL), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO-07), Mike Flood (R-NE-01), and Joe Neguse (D-CO-02). In August, U.S. Senator Michael Bennett (D-CO) introduced companion legislation in the Senate alongside Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR). Text of the bill is available here.

“In areas across my district, programs like the PL-566 program are essential to mitigate flood or drought damage, ultimately ensuring better water security, a lifeline for Arizona’s desert communities,” said Rep. Ciscomani. “By cutting red tape and implementing commonsense fixes, we build on previous successes of the program and allow our communities to tap into the full potential of the resources available to them.” 

“Water is the most valuable commodity in the West, essential for sustaining people, farms, and wildlife. But two decades of climate change-fueled drought has devastated watersheds in Colorado and the region, posing an existential threat to Colorado’s farmers and ranchers, and everyone who relies on them,” said Rep. Caraveo. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the bipartisan Healthy Watersheds, Healthy Communities Act – a bill that will make the PL-566 program work better for the American West and support drought resilience in Colorado.” 

“Water is one of humanity’s most important resources,” said Rep. Hageman. “Protecting and managing our water resources is critically important, having immense consequences for local communities and our nation’s food supply and energy production. Yet confusing, contradictory, and unnecessary regulatory processes and bureaucratic delays prevent needed investments in building and managing our water storage infrastructure. The Healthy Watersheds, Healthy Communities Act addresses some of these concerns by providing greater control of watersheds to our irrigation districts and local irrigators who better understand local hydrology, systems, and needs. As a strong proponent of decentralized control and greater investment in local organizations, I’m proud to join my colleagues, as well as the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, in support of this bill.” 

“As climate change continues to affect our water resources—especially in Colorado—we must ensure we have a resilient watershed management system in place,” said Rep. Pettersen. “This bill will streamline planning and help us conserve water more efficiently, so our communities and farmers are better equipped for the next drought or flood.” 

“Allowing for more local control and flexibility in managing projects funded by the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations program will help stakeholders tailor solutions to steward our resources and meet the needs of local communities,” said Rep. Flood. “Thank you to Representatives Ciscomani, Hageman, Neguse, Caraveo, and Petterson for your leadership on this issue in the House as well as our colleagues in the Senate.”

This legislation is supported by the Arizona Farm Bureau, Central Arizona Irrigation and Drainage Districts, Family Farm Alliance, Almond Alliance, Environmental Defense Fund, Farmers Conservation Alliance, Oregon Water Resources Congress, the Freshwater Trust, the Wyoming Stockgrowers Association, Western Growers, Trout Unlimited, the St. Vrain & Left Hand Water Conservancy District, and the Nature Conservancy.

“Arizona agriculture producers know just how much is at stake when it comes to the ongoing drought,” said Stefanie Smallhouse, the President of the Arizona Farm Bureau and a member of Ciscomani’s Advisory Council. “The Healthy Watersheds, Healthy Communities Act of 2023 will improve upon the PL-566 program and ensure that it adequately supports Western farmers and ranchers in their water conservation efforts. The Arizona Farm Bureau thanks Representatives Ciscomani, Flood, Hageman, Neguse, Pettersen, and Caraveo for their work on this important issue.”