Reps. Neguse, Matsui Lead Call to USFS & USDA Requesting Funds for Watershed Restoration

September 20, 2022
Press Release

The requested funds would be allocated through provisions included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joe Neguse and Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-06), Co-Chairs of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) Nature and Oceans Task Force wrote to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Forest Service Chief Randy Moore requesting that throughout the implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law they prioritize efforts to protect American watersheds, water sources, and communities, as well as investments in nature-based solutions for forest health and watershed restoration. 

“Climate change is impacting communities across the country and around the world. Ninety percent of the Western United States is experiencing drought conditions, and in 2021 record high temperatures were recorded in California, Nevada, and Colorado—NOAA and NASA even named 2021 the sixth-hottest year on record for the entire planet. Rising temperatures contribute to significant declines in river flows and water availability, leading to drier soils and landscapes, and increasing the likelihood of destructive wildfires. This includes the potential for post-fire hazards impacting reliable water access—particularly in rural areas serving disadvantaged communities and Tribes [...] The IIJA investments recognize the importance of integrated strategies to reduce wildfire risk and improve ecosystem services. Similarly, efforts to improve forest health through watershed restoration projects can improve the climate resilience of nature-based infrastructure including our source watersheds.” wrote Congressman Neguse and the lawmakers. 

Forests and watersheds provide a majority of clean drinking water for Western communities, and by restoring wet meadows and wetlands, and reconnecting floodplains we can ensure public benefits like water quality and quantity last for future generations. To support these projects, dozens of provisions in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law were included to support watershed health and related forest restoration efforts. 

“When Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, they secured critical funding to build resilience in Western Communities from climate impacts through sustainable, nature-based solutions. This funding provides the Forest Service the ability to better manage our forests and natural water infrastructure – our rivers, floodplains, and wetlands – to improve water security for communities, protect drinking water, increase resilience to wildfires and drought, improve agricultural resilience, and enhance habitat for fish and wildlife,” said Matt Rice, American Rivers Southwest Regional Director.

 “Climate change is here and communities and birds are feeling its impacts across the West. Nature-based solutions, like healthy forest management and wetland restoration can reduce drought impacts on communities and wildlife, while building climate resilience. The drying of the West requires long-term, sustainable solutions to build a resilient water supply and provide healthy rivers for all people and wildlife," said Julie Hill-Gabriel, National Audubon Society Vice President.

“It's essential that we increase the pace and scale of public investments in healthy rivers and watersheds to reduce drought, flood and fire risks associated with climate change, while enhancing quality places to hunt and fish. We're committed to collaborating with the Forest Service to advance these urgent, cost-effective solutions.,” said Alex Funk, Director of Water Resources and Senior Counsel at the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.

“EDF appreciates the strong leadership of Representative Neguse urging the Forest Service to target IIJA funds to prioritize nature-based solutions that help states bolster water supplies. Much of the west is facing extreme water insecurity, and the Colorado River is in crisis. Nature-based solutions are a win for our forests, rivers, ecosystems, and economies. Year after year, hot, windy springs and early summers in the Colorado River headwaters have caused snowpack to evaporate instead of melting and increasing flows in our rivers, posing increasingly serious challenges for cities, wildlife, recreational opportunities, and farms that supply food and fiber for people throughout the country. We need investments in durable, nature-based solutions to address these urgent challenges and build water security and resilience,” said Brian Jackson, Senior Manager at the Environmental Defense Fund.

“The Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act made historic investments in the conservation and restoration of our Nation’s natural resources and putting this investment to work on the ground is a big undertaking. But many hands make light work and public-private partnerships with the Forest Service and other federal agencies to deploy nature-based solutions will help accelerate these efforts. Increasing habitat connectivity, cleaning up abandoned mines, restoring riparian habitat, and improving water conservation are but a few of the types of collaborative projects that will make a tremendous difference for our forests, on our rivers and streams, and in communities throughout the country. There’s work to be done and it’s time to get after it – together,” said Corey Fisher, Public Lands Policy Director at Trout Unlimited.

“Securing long-term climate resilience for Colorado and the Colorado River Basin is essential. With funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Forest Service has the opportunity to restore and leverage nature’s ability to buffer communities from the impacts of climate change. Sustainable solutions such as ecological forest management and watershed restoration can mitigate wildfire and flood impacts to help communities, improve wildlife habitat, and safeguard the future of our rivers. The Nature Conservancy looks forward to collaborating with the Forest Service to create a world where both nature and people thrive,” said Carlos Fernandez, Colorado State Director at The Nature Conservancy.

Read the letter HERE. 

This letter is the most recent effort to come from the Nature and Oceans Task Force, which was established to prioritize natural climate solutions (NCS) – the conservation, restoration, and management of our lands and waters. As the nation continues to face a nature and biodiversity crisis, the task force will tackle these issues with legislative efforts targeted toward reaching the goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.  

Background

Congressman Neguse played a key role in the swift passage and enactment of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, a historic piece of legislation that invests in the economy, rebuilds crumbling roads and bridges, and ensures American communities can compete in the 21st Century. Thanks to the advocacy and leadership of Congressman Neguse, the bill also includes several other wildfire response initiatives including funds for wildfire prevention, a pay raise for federal wildland firefighters, and investments in collaborative forest programs, such as the Joint Chiefs Landscape Restoration Partnership.

The state of Colorado is already set to receive the following in federal funding from the historic law:

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