Representatives Jake LaTurner (R-KS) and Yadira Caraveo, M.D. (D-CO) collaborated on a new bill to assist family farmers and ranchers in combating drought.
The Voluntary Groundwater Conservation Act proposes the establishment of a flexible voluntary groundwater easement program under the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) within the Agricultural Conservation Easements Program.
As groundwater supplies decline, rural communities face increasing worries. Rep. LaTurner stresses the need for water conservation. The proposed act aims to support agriculture producers in reducing groundwater usage, preserving natural resources, and sustaining their lands in production.
Groundwater is an essential source of irrigation for family farms and ranches across the country as well as an important source of drinking water for rural towns. These resources are, however, in danger of depletion, which could have negative effects on local economies, ecosystems, and communities.
The Voluntary Groundwater Conservation Act's main characteristics are as follows:
- Creation of a new Groundwater Conservation Easement Program at USDA to encourage voluntary reductions in groundwater consumption on agricultural land, aligning with regional or state groundwater management goals.
- The NRCS's capacity to refund transaction expenses up to 5% of the government share, with a choice for producers of low resources to pay these costs in advance.
- Assurance of long-term management flexibility for producers to continue farming and choose their preferred methods of water use reduction, provided they meet their annual conservation commitments.
- Fair compensation for farmers based on the market value of their water rights, rather than a per acre payment.
- Easement funds are not considered when calculating a farm's adjusted gross income. Producers with an adjusted gross income exceeding $900,000 can request a waiver from the Secretary to take part in groundwater conservation easements.
The Voluntary Groundwater Conservation Act also received support in the Senate from Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), highlighting the importance of this legislation in safeguarding water resources and supporting agricultural communities.
Photo Credit: science-photo-library-igor-stevanovic
Categories: Kansas, Weather