Press Releases

WASHINGTON—U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) this week introduced the bipartisan Healthy Watershed, Healthy Communities Act alongside Representatives Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Yadira Caraveo (D-CO), Harriet Hageman (R-WY), Mike Flood (R-NE), and Joe Neguse (D-CO). This legislation would 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. 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).

“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 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.”

“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 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 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 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.”
 
“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 Flood. “Thank you to Representatives Ciscomani, Hageman, Neguse, Caraveo, and Pettersen for your leadership on this issue in the House as well as our colleagues in the Senate.”

Click here to access the full text of the bill.

“The Healthy Watershed Healthy Communities Act would be a vital tool for safeguarding the future of western water resources and addressing the unique challenges faced by the region,” said Kevin Moran, Associate Vice President at Environmental Defense Fund. “In the West, where water scarcity is a persistent concern, the PL-566 program provides a lifeline for communities grappling with extreme droughts and flooding. It also supports the resilience and sustainability of American agriculture in the face of an evolving climate.” 

“The Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations Program has proven to be an invaluable tool for Irrigation communities to make vital infrastructure upgrades, enhancing resilience against drought impacts for both themselves and their patrons. I appreciate Representative Ciscomani for spearheading the introduction of the Healthy Watersheds Healthy Communities Act in the House of Representatives," stated Julie O’Shea, Executive Director at Farmers Conservation Alliance. "This legislation will play a pivotal role in improving the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations program to undertake and execute modernization initiatives that yield multiple benefits for agriculture, the environment, and local communities. Special thanks to Representatives Hageman, Flood, Neguse, Pettersen, and Caraveo for their support of this significant legislation"

“The health of rural economies throughout the West is inextricably linked to the health of their watersheds. Farmers and ranchers whose futures are driven by water are invested in and uniquely positioned to implement strategies to keep their watersheds thriving. By increasing federal support for flood-risk reduction, irrigation and other watershed health projects, this legislation will help farmers and ranchers succeed while also conserving critical natural resources throughout the West,” said Jennifer Conner, Associate Director of Legislative Affairs for The Nature Conservancy.

“The Healthy Watershed, Healthy Communities Act is a sensible modification to the invaluable PL-566 tool.  Water programs, services, and projects are more complex today than they were nearly 70 years ago when PL-566 was enacted.  To succeed in the future, water managers, resource stewards, and communities must be more creative and work more collaboratively.  From where I sit along St. Vrain Creek as it meets the South Platte River, I have concluded our community is craving holistic, sensible, apolitical leadership when it comes to addressing current and future challenges around water.  This Act is all those things, and when approved could have a positive impact, not only in my backyard, but across the West and U.S.,” said Sean Cronin, Executive Director of St. Vrain & Left Hand Water Conservancy District.

Supporters of the bill include: Colorado Farm Bureau, Colorado Association of Conservation Districts, The Almond Alliance, Environmental Defense Fund, Farmers Conservation Alliance, Family Farm Alliance, Irrigation Association, Oregon Water Resources Congress, the St. Vrain & Left Hand Water Conservancy District, the Freshwater Trust, The Nature Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, Western Growers, the Wyoming Stockgrowers Association, California Agricultural Irrigation Association, and California Farm Bureau.