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USDA Rural Development Water and Environmental Programs has consistently supported rural communities in completing necessary upgrades to their water and wastewater facilities.

WEP is instrumental in helping rural America maintain affordable water access for all rural people, and it is imperative that Rural Water’s voice and priorities are heard within the Halls of Congress and within our nation’s leadership. Through our combined thousands of rural leaders from every state, we can ensure Congress and the Trump Administration know that WEP is the trusted partner for rural America and must be maintained.

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Source Water Protection Funding – Three Free Webinars

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Register now for three April webinars being hosted by the National Source Water Collaborative (SWC). There is no cost to participate. Please share this information with your colleagues!

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Source Water Protection Funding Webinars: The SWC will hold two webinars in April as part of the BIL Learning Exchange webinar series. The purpose of the series is to help water stakeholders use the new BIL funding for source water protection, identify barriers to funding, develop best practices, and highlight case studies and example projects.

  • April 10, 2024, from 2:30 – 4:00 pm (ET): Demystifying How to Access BIL Funds for Source Water Protection and Natural Infrastructure. This webinar will showcase the wide array of technical assistance available to help eligible partners develop project plans and application materials to access funding for source water protection, including through the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds. REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR HERE.
  • April 22, 2024, from 1:00 – 2:30 pm (ET): Leveraging U.S. Forest Service BIL Funds for Source Water Protection on Forested Lands. Hear from U.S. Forest Service (USFS) speakers about how major funding sources like BIL can be used for forest management projects with multiple benefits: watershed protection, wildfire mitigation, protection of aquatic resources, and protection of drinking water sources. REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR HERE.

New Opportunities to Partner with NRCS for Source Water Protection and Climate-Smart Agriculture

  • April 18, 2024, from 12:00 – 1:30 pm (ET): This webinar will focus on this year’s opportunity to update the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) high priority source water protection areasand agricultural and forestry practices landowners can implement to get up to 90 percent incentive payments to protect drinking water sources under the Farm Bill. The webinar will also address the selection/update of watersheds under the National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) and Mississippi River Basin Initiative (MRBI) and share a drinking water utility’s successful experience working with NRCS State Technical Committees and NRCS staff. REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR HERE.