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BRIEFINGS, REPORTS, & REVIEWS

Reports

The Economic Importance of Western Irrigated Agriculture

Final Report on Perceptions of Demand Management in Western Colorado

The Nature Conservancy has commissioned a report exploring the perceptions of demand management on Colorado's West Slope. It is intended to help shed light on the social/cultural issues that surround demand management in order to help everyone engaged in the...

“Western Farmers and Ranchers as Problem Solvers” (2016)

The Family Farm Alliance on March 22, 2016 participated in the White House Water Summit to raise awareness of water issues and potential solutions in the United States, and to catalyze ideas and actions to help build a sustainable and secure water future through...

“The Argument for the Prior Appropriation Doctrine to Allocate Water in the Western U.S.”

This paper, prepared with input from water managers and attorneys from throughout the West, counters common criticisms to the Western water rights system and explains why the prior appropriation doctrine....works.

“Colorado River Basin Water Management – Principles and Recommendations” (2015)

Developed over an 18-month period with input from irrigators in all the Colorado River Basin states, this reportarticulates our principles for smart, effective management of water resources in the Colorado River Basin to help decision-makers in the Basin deal with the...

“The Economic Importance of Western Irrigated Agriculture – 2015 Update” (2015)

Developed by the Pacific Northwest Project for the Family Farm Alliance, this report describes the remarkable contributions Western irrigated agriculture makes to the national economy, household income, and the ability for U.S. consumers to pay less of their...

“A Road Map Towards Securing the Future of Western Irrigated Agriculture” (2015)

This brief, hard-hitting report was widely circulated to policy makers in Washington, D.C. and Western states as a policy guide for the new Congress in January 2015.

“Innovations in Agricultural Stewardship: Stories of Conservation & Drought Resilience in t

Co-authored with the National Young Farmers Coalition and completed with funding support from the Walton Family Foundation, this report investigates how family farm and ranch operations in the West are finding unique solutions to save water and improve soil health.

“The 2014 Drought and Water Management Policy Impacts on California’s Central Valley Food P

The California drought is not simply the result of Mother Nature or climate change. Recent federal management of Bay-Delta water and the policies behind that management also play an important role. Written by Alliance Executive Director Dan Keppen and Dr. Tricia...

“Securing the Future of Western Agriculture – the Perspective of Western Producers”, (2014

Published in cooperation with AGree, a national agricultural think tank consisting of diverse experts who seek to develop shared strategies for achieving transformative change, this report - authored by Alliance President Pat O'Toole (a Wyoming rancher who sits on the...

“Twenty Questions on Water Storage Projects: A White Paper that Provides Straightforward Answer

This report provides answers to any question you may have regarding water storage projects, and takes on some of the most popular myths that critics of dams have advanced in recent years.

“Endangered Species Act Implementation in the Western U.S. – Looking for Answers to Modernize a

Current implementation and litigation surrounding the federal Endangered Species Act is perhaps the primary challenge facing Western water users. This report provides detailed background and specific recommendations on how to make this 40-plus year old law really work...

“Western Water Management Case Studies (2010)

Sometimes, real-life examples provide the best stories of how successful water policy should be fashioned and implemented. This report shows how individual farmers, ranchers and irrigation districts are tackling tough water challenges throughout the Western U.S.

“Western Water Policy: The Challenges and Opportunities of our Times, Our Legacy for the Next G

In anticipation of the Democrat National Convention (Denver) and Republican National Convention (Minneapolis), this report was prepared to give leaders of both political parties policy guidance on Western water matters.

“Water Supply in a Changing Climate: The Perspective of Family Farmers and Ranchers in the Irri

This report - which has been the centerpiece for several Alliance appearances before Congressional committees - provides observations of climate change in the West and realistic solutions that can mitigate for expected associated impacts.

March 2021 – Monthly Briefing & Virtual Conference Highlights

President Biden’s Cabinet began taking shape in the agricultural water space at the Departments of Agriculture, Interior, Energy, and Transportation, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency. CLICK HERE to read more about these and other issues facing...

January 2021 Monthly Briefing

President Biden’ first ten days in office were marked by numerous executive actions focused on tackling his Administration’s top priorities: the COVID-19 pandemic, the related economic crisis, racial justice, and the threat of extreme climate events.

December 2020 Monthly Briefing

Days after suggesting he wouldn’t, President Trump on December 28 averted a government shutdown and signed a massive year-end spending and COVID-19 relief deal into law. The nearly 6,000 page bill included a $1.4 trillion Fiscal Year 2021 appropriations package, $900 billion for COVID relief…

Water Review: Restoring the Salton Sea

An Ambitious Plan to Restore the Salton Sea Imperial Irrigation District, County Launch Joint Effort The September 2015 Family Farm "Water Review" discusses Imperial Irrigation District's efforts to restore California's Salton Sea. In taking the next steps to avert...

NEWS

Position Available: Yuma Mesa Irrigation and Drainage District

The Yuma Mesa Irrigation and Drainage District (ARIZONA) is in the process of replacing the District Manager, due to retirement of the present Manager. Click here for the complete job description. Avenue 3E Siphon Extension, Yuma Mesa Irrigation & Drainage...

White House Rolls Out New NEPA Regs

Today, the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) released it's proposed rule modernizing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to facilitate more efficient, effective, and timely environmental reviews. "I am pleased that the Council...

Agricultural Water Users Profiled in Two-Volume Colorado River Report

(Las Vegas, Nevada) - A year-long effort to bring the perspectives of key agricultural water user interests into the current Colorado River Compact discussions culminated in today's release of two special "Water Review" reports prepared by the Family Farm Alliance....