Posted July, 1 2015
U.S.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced another $150 million for
California drought relief, according to a Western Farm Press article available here.
Capital Press also published an article available here
and San Francisco Chronicle here.
In the
next two years, the USDA's Forest Service and Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) along with the Interior Department, the State of
California, non-profits, and private landowners will invest $130 million in the
partnership, totaling a minimum investment of $210 million.
The $150
million is in addition to the $110 million in drought relief for the West that
officials announced on June 12 and the $190 million the federal government had
already devoted to drought relief earlier this year. This investment includes
$130 million for forest thinning and other projects in the woods and $13.7 million
for struggling ranchers, according to Capital
Press.
The money
for livestock producers is available through NRCS’ Environmental Quality
Incentives Program and includes short-term assistance as well as help with
long-term solutions such as improving irrigation systems, Vilsack said.
“I think
producers want to know that someone’s paying attention and understands the hurt
that’s being felt throughout the countryside” because of the drought, said Vilsack.
“I think they appreciate the fact that we know the link between our forests and
water quality and conservation.”
The
headwaters help provide drinking water to 25 million Californians and irrigate
farms in the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys, according to the SF
Chronicle.
Vilsack
told reporters on a conference call that protecting national forests are key to
preserving water resources. Expanding meadows and cutting down trees helps
clear the path for snow to melt into streams and rivers, eventually making its
way into farmland and reservoirs. Restoration can also ensure enough space for
snow to stay on trees and meadows to also melt slowly into groundwater basins.
Approximately
$14 million will help ranchers get water for cattle providing access to more
water-efficient wells and pipelines, and $6 million for programs helping rural
communities gain access to drinking water.
For more information on conservation programs, please visit
the National Agricultural Law Center’s website here.
