Position #2026-07 – Support for USDA Conservation and Rural Water Infrastructure Programs in the West
Policy Summary
Agriculture is central to western economies and communities and accounts for much of the West’s consumptive water use. Drought, scarce water supplies with competing uses, stressed surface and groundwater resources, and water-quality concerns underscore the need for agricultural water conservation and sound water management.
USDA programs play complimentary roles in supporting western water resources. Conservation Title programs help producers and water users improve water-use efficiency, water quality, watershed health, and drought and wildfire resilience. These programs should be sufficiently funded based on need; remain voluntary, incentive-based, flexible, and locally targeted; and be implemented in coordination with state and local partners. USDA Rural Development programs provide essential financial and technical assistance for drinking water, wastewater, and related infrastructure in rural communities.
WSWC Urges Congress and the Administration to:
1. Provide sufficient, need-based funding for USDA conservation and water-related programs. Support conservation, watershed, water-supply, flood-protection, and water-quality needs based on demonstrated demand rather than baseline budget targets alone.
2. Preserve voluntary, flexible, and locally targeted conservation. Maintain incentive-based programs that address locally identified farm, range, forest, and water-resource concerns in coordination with state and local governmental partners.
3. Support measurable water benefits and regional partnerships. Encourage practices and cooperative programs that improve water-use efficiency and water quality, strengthen drought and wildfire resilience, address groundwater and watershed needs, and achieve real water savings where water conservation is the objective.
4. Sustain Rural Development support for rural water infrastructure. Provide financial and technical assistance for drinking water, wastewater, sanitation, and related infrastructure needed by rural communities.
Core Message
USDA conservation programs are important tools for sustaining western agriculture, water resources, and rural communities. They work best when adequately funded, voluntary, locally driven, flexible enough to address regional differences, coordinated with states and local partners, and focused on meaningful water-resource outcomes.
What WSWC Is Asking For
1. Fund USDA Conservation Title and water-related programs based on demonstrated need.
2. Preserve voluntary, incentive-based approaches and maximum practical flexibility for producers, states, local governments, and conservation partners.
3. Support programs that address water-use efficiency with real water savings, flood protection, water quality remediation, and groundwater recharge and, where appropriate, transitions from irrigated to dryland farming.
4. Maintain strong regional and cooperative programs, including EQIP, RCPP, the Colorado River Basin Salinity Project, and watershed protection and recovery efforts.
5. Continue Rural Development assistance for drinking water, wastewater, sanitation, and related rural infrastructure.
Closing Statement
WSWC supports strong federal investment in voluntary, incentive-based USDA conservation programs that help western producers and communities conserve and manage water, improve water quality, strengthen resilience, and sustain productive agricultural economies. These programs should remain flexible, locally responsive, and coordinated with state and local partners.
Jurisdiction
Senate Committee
●Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry
House Committee of Jurisdiction
●Agriculture
Relevant Appropriations Subcommittee
●Agriculture, Rural Development, & FDA
Relevant Federal Agencies
●U.S. Department of Agriculture
●Farm Service Agency
●Natural Resources Conservation Service
●Rural Development
●U.S. Forest Service