Farm Bill Water Conservation Program Survives Floor Attack

Contact: Scott Faber 202 387-3500

David Cherry 202 387-3500

The Senate today approved by a 55-45 vote a new water conservation program to help resolve conflicts between farmers and endangered fish.

Environmental Defense applauded Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), who led efforts to protect the water conservation provisions of the Farm Bill from being removed during debate on the Senate floor. Joining Reid in supporting the amendment were Senators Snowe (R-ME), Collins (R-ME), Smith (R-NH), Gregg (R-NH), Chafee (R-RI), Specter (R-PA), Warner (R-VA), Carnahan (D-MO), and Fitzgerald (R-IL).

“Senator Reid’s water conservation provisions will give states valuable new resources to resolve conflicts between farmers and endangered fish,” said Environmental Defense water resources specialist Scott Faber.

One part of the Reid amendment will provide $375 million to seven states (CA, WA, OR, NM, NV, NH and ME) over five years to lease or buy water rights to help endangered fish, and to share the cost of irrigation efficiency infrastructure, provided that most “conserved” water is used to provide adequate stream flows for fish. Under the second provision, $625 million will be available to pay farmers more for a conservation easement if they voluntarily lease water rights to the state.

“Today, freshwater species are disappearing five times faster than North America’s mammals and birds, and inadequate stream flow is among the leading threats — especially in western states,” Faber said.

“Obtaining additional water through leasing will help endangered fish by ensuring that streams have enough water to support aquatic life during dry periods, and by restoring seasonal high flows.”

Providing adequate stream flows helps maintain dissolved oxygen levels, keeps water temperatures cool, and provides fish sufficient range to find food and spawning habitat. Restoring seasonal high flows will restore important spawning and migration cues, restore access to floodplain and side channel spawning areas, aid the migration of species like salmon, and enhance the ability of rivers to create new sandbars, islands, and side channels through the erosion and deposition of sediment.