Reclamation announces $2 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to advance drought resilience in the Eastern Snake Plains Aquifer

MILNER, Idaho- The Bureau of Reclamation today announced a$2millioninvestmentthrough President Biden's Investing in America agenda to strengthendrought resiliencein the Eastern Snake Plains Aquifer in Idaho.

The Eastern Snake PlainsAquifer, covering approximately 10,800 square miles of Idahois a critical resource for southern Idaho's economy.The region produces approximately 21% of all goods and services within the state of Idaho and the aquifer provides irrigation water for around one million acres.

Reclamation CommissionerCamille CalimlimTouton made the announcement today during a visit to Milner Dam. The project being funded will provide real-time information on both surface water and groundwater diversions, enabling more effective and efficient management of limited water supplies during periods of drought.

"This fundingto the Idaho Water Resources Boardwill continue Reclamation's support ofaquifer stabilization in this area impacted by historic drought," said Commissioner Touton. "Thanks to the President's Investing in America agenda, we have new historic resources to implement drought resilience projects like this that will safeguard our water supplies and restore local ecosystems for future generations."

Project funding will be usedto automate measurementsand allow for remote water management to discharge water, benefittingfish, the broader ecosystemand increasing water quality in the area. At completion, the program is expected to enable the expansion of conservation efforts providing up to 260,000 acre-feet of groundwatersavingsand 75,000 acre-feet of surface water.

The Biden-Harris administration previously announced funding from the Investing in America agenda for 36 water projects in Idaho totaling more than $60million. Most ofthe projects funded throughtheBipartisan Infrastructure Law are either through theWaterSMARTprogram or are for extraordinary maintenance in the region.

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