Government funds tribal, Acequia water projects

USDA invests in drought resilience for agriculture

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced the USDA’s expansion of the Water-Saving Commodities program, focusing on supporting water efficiency in agricultural communities in the Western U.S. This includes new funding for Tribal irrigation projects and acequia systems, vital for maintaining crop production and managing water resources efficiently. 

The USDA, in collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, has selected three significant Tribal irrigation projects for funding: the Colorado River Indian Irrigation Project, the San Carlos Irrigation Project, and the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project.

These projects are part of a broader effort to support Tribal communities in enhancing their irrigation practices amidst severe drought conditions.

Simultaneously, acequia systems, which are community-operated water courses important for local agriculture in New Mexico and Colorado, will receive $15 million in assistance. This funding will boost local efforts in education, outreach, and technical services aimed at improving water usage and sustainability. 

The program also includes finalized agreements with 18 irrigation districts that have committed to adopting innovative water management strategies to conserve water and sustain crop production. These districts will carry out various water-saving strategies, which are expected to conserve up to 50,000 acre-feet of water annually. 

This initiative represents a multi-faceted approach by the USDA to address the critical issues of water scarcity and agricultural sustainability in drought-prone areas, ensuring the resilience of rural economies.