Amidst historic drought, the Family Farm Alliance helped spearhead a coalition of 220 organizations, water providers, communities, and businesses (see full list here) representing thousands of Western farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural interests, to collectively send this letter to Senate leaders urging action on improving aging water infrastructure and streamlining regulations and permitting processes.

The coalition letter to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources strongly urges federal investment in a diversified water management portfolio to serve a broad range of water uses. The coalition emphasizes that changing hydrological conditions and a growing Western population make a “visionary federal infrastructure package” necessary.

A similar letter was sent to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Today’s coalition press release states that the funding will “assist in addressing critical safety needs, develop new infrastructure, invest in smart water technology and conservation, and improve forest and water ecosystems.” The coalition is led by Family Farm Alliance, Western Growers, Association of California Water Agencies, California Farm Bureau, and National Water Resources Association.

For the compiled list of the coalition’s Western water infrastructure requests, click here.

Be sure to contact your congressional representatives in support of this vital effort.