Ciscomani Joins Effort to Reintroduce Water Conservation Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Juan Ciscomani has joined Senators John Hickenlooper of Colorado and Jerry Moran of Kansas, and Representative Brittany Petterson (CO-07), to reintroduce legislation for water conservation. The Water Project Navigators Act (H.R. 7408), is a bipartisan bill that would establish a new Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) program to fund the work of grant navigators who would aid states, Tribes, and rural communities in efforts to secure adequate resources for critical water projects.

These water projects will improve water efficiency, reduce water consumption, and strengthen ecosystem resilience, all of which would greatly impact southeastern Arizona communities. Drought is a continual issue here in Arizona, and this legislation would help to ensure local communities have the resources necessary for proper conservation.

"In Arizona, water is our most precious resource. As the drought worsens in the West, it is now more important than ever that impacted communities have the necessary tools to secure federal dollars for critical multi-benefit water infrastructure projects," said Ciscomani. "I am proud to have worked with a bipartisan, bicameral group of my colleagues on this legislation that will create a community navigator position through the Bureau of Reclamation to assist our constituents that need it the most in funding their water conservation efforts."

"Communities needing the most federal support for their water supply are often the ones who don't get it," said Hickenlooper. "Water project navigators will help get more projects developed, funded, and built for our rural and tribal communities."

"Over the past few years, families, farms and communities across Kansas have been impacted by drought," said Moran. "While there are federal resources available to help preserve water, accessing these resources can be a challenge for Tribal and rural communities. This legislation will connect these communities with the resources available to them to help combat the impact of droughts."

"Water is life in Colorado, but as federal clean water programs face devastating cuts, rural communities need our support now more than ever," said Pettersen. "Climate change is making droughts more frequent and more severe, and communities shouldn't be left to navigate complex funding processes on their own. The Water Project Navigators Act ensures Tribes, rural towns, and local water districts have the support they need to draw down federal dollars, making sure the next generation can grow up in a secure, resilient Colorado."

Across Arizona and the West, water sources are constantly threatened by issues like drought and wildfire. The problem is even worse in rural and Tribal communities due to aging infrastructure and increasing demand for water. Currently, the Bureau of Reclamation has grant programs in place to aid states and local governments with water management, but many rural and Tribal communities do not have the necessary resources to apply for and access this federal funding.