Sens. Moran, Hickenlooper & Reps. Pettersen, Ciscomani Introduce Legislation to Increase Access to Federal Water Conservation Resources

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), alongside U.S. Representatives Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) and Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), introduced the Water Project Navigators Act. The bill would establish a new program at the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) to fund navigator positions with states, Tribes and rural communities to boost capacity for developing, funding and implementing water management and conservation projects.

"Widespread drought is impacting many communities across Kansas, hurting family farms, local municipalities and businesses," said Sen. Moran. "While there are federal resources available to help preserve water, accessing these resources can be a challenge for Tribal and rural communities. This legislation will connect these communities with the resources available to them to help combat the impact of droughts."

"Rural and Tribal communities deserve their fair share of federal funds to address drought, but all too often are left out," said Sen. Hickenlooper. "Our Water Project Navigators will help these communities get their share."

"The effects of climate change continue to accelerate, and the impact on our critical water resources are felt throughout Colorado," said Rep. Pettersen. " However, many areas - like our most rural areas in Colorado - lack the necessary resources to secure federal funds for water projects. It is critical that we invest in these areas to strengthen and protect our water resources and help communities draw down federal dollars. This bill will fund 'navigator' positions to help state and local governments, Tribes, special districts, and other groups implement water projects and access this critical funding, helping bring federal investment to the communities that need it most."

"In Arizona, water is our most precious resource. As the drought worsens in the West, it is now more important than ever that impacted communities have the necessary tools to secure federal dollars for critical multi-benefit water infrastructure projects," said Rep. Ciscomani. "I am proud to have worked with a bipartisan, bicameral group of my colleagues on this legislation that will create a community navigator position through the Bureau of Reclamation to assist our constituents that need it the most in funding their water conservation efforts."

Rivers and streams across the West are threatened by severe drought and persistent wildfire. In rural and Tribal communities, aging infrastructure faces challenges from increasing water demand and changes in hydrology. The Bureau of Reclamation has grant programs to help states and local governments manage these challenges, but many rural and Tribal communities still lack the necessary capacity and resources to apply for and access these federal resources.

The Water Project Navigators Act would close this resource gap by creating navigator positions to help communities to plan, implement and secure resources for projects that improve water efficiency, reduce water consumption and enhance ecosystem resilience.

Specifically, the bill would:

• Help communities build capacity to develop and implement multi-benefit water projects.
• Accelerate creation of projects that support a variety of water supply and sustainability goals.
• Prioritize applicants with the most need, including Tribes and rural communities.
• Work within eligible entities such as states, Tribes, regional local governments, special districts, conservation districts, and non-governmental organizations, tapping into local expertise to maximize federal resources on the ground.

"As a rural community facing severe drought, the City of Russell supports the Water Projects Navigators Act as a means to assist communities like ours in securing long-term sustainable water resources," said Jim A. Cross, Mayor of the City of Russell. "Our community has a long history of water conservation practices that have become a way of life. As a community, we work together to protect our most vital resource. The scarcity of this resource prevents business recruitment, expansion, and economic growth. The Water Projects Navigators Act can assist Russell and communities like ours in building a sustainable future through helping provide access to federal resources."

"The Water Project Navigators Act will alleviate some of the stress Kansas is experiencing with drought, depletion of the Ogallala Aquifer, and sedimentation in our reservoirs," said Bill Simshauser, President of the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts. "The Kansas Association of Conservation Districts (KACD) applauds Sen. Moran's and Hickenlooper's leadership to address water challenges in our region."

"The Water Project Navigators Act would provide important tools and resources to help communities across the West address urgent water conservation issues," said Kim LaFleur, President of the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD). "NACD appreciates Senators Hickenlooper's and Moran's efforts in developing this bill to address these growing concerns."

"The Water Project Navigators Act builds on successful efforts in Colorado to provide critical investments in enhancing local capacity that in turn will increase the pace and scale of water projects providing benefits to both water users and fish and wildlife," said Alex Funk, Director of Water Resources of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. "We applaud Senators Hickenlooper and Moran leadership in working to ensure federal resources to address our most pressing water resource challenges are made more readily accessible to community-based watershed organizations, Tribes, rural areas, and other historically underserved communities."

The bill is supported by the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, National Water Resources Association, Trout Unlimited, Audubon, Farmers Conservation Alliance, The Nature Conservancy, Southwestern Water Conservation District, Kansas Water Office, Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Department of Agriculture - Division of Water Resources.

A draft of the bill can be found HERE.

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