The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) invested $918 million in Watershed Program projects that addressed new, ongoing, emergent, and relief to all communities to address watershed resource concerns.
OVERVIEW
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), signed in November 2021 by President Biden, provided $918 million for NRCS watershed programs.
On November 21, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), an historic once-in-a-generation investment opportunity to rebuild our nation’s infrastructure and generate jobs. NRCS Watershed Programs received $918 million of BIL funds for conservation efforts that mitigate flooding, build climate resiliency, and rehabilitate ageing dams.
- Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) Program received $500 million,
- Watershed Rehabilitation (REHAB) Program received $118 million, and
Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program received $300 million.
BIL UPDATE
As of August 2024, NRCS has invested over $897.5 million of BIL funds in conservation and emergency watershed projects managed by the Watershed Programs Branch.
WFPO and REHAB BIL funds - $616 million invested in 238 projects in 49 states
WFPO – Preliminary Investigation Findings Reports (PIFRs)
PIFRs provide reasonable assurance that a feasible watershed conservation plan can be developed that addresses one or more of WFPO’s project purposes (as defined by Public Law 83-566) and that there are no apparent insurmountable obstacles that would impact the proposed project. A PIFR, is the first step to implementing a watershed project. Once the proposed watershed plan has been approved, the project moves through implementation – design and construction, over a period of 5-10 years. BIL provided funds for 139 PIFRs of which 105 have been completed.
REHAB
BIL funds were invested in 91 dams considered to be ‘high-hazard potential’ – meaning, in the event of dam failure there would be significant loss of life and property downstream. Two REHAB projects have completed construction.
EWP BIL funds - $281.5 million invested in 29 projects in 20 states
EWP provides disaster assistance for wildfires, flooding, and other severe weather events by applying recovery measures that reduce the threat from additional flooding or erosion. Since BIL funds became available, $218.6 million has been allocated to implement recovery measures throughout the nation.
EWP is also providing 100% of the cost-share for Floodplain Recovery Buyouts in Limited Resource Areas (LRAs) where structural projects, to reduce the threat from additional flooding or erosion, were determined not to be cost effective. To date, over 616 applications have been received and $62.9 million has been allocated for EWP LRA Buyouts.
Currently, $18.5 million remains available for disaster assistance and EWP LRA Buyouts.
BIL Watershed Program Interactive Map
View full screen here or click on the interactive map below to view the projects funded nationwide.
For more information on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, please visit the USDA website.
Folks, yesterday was one those great days to be associated with USDA. Just the emotions and hope that was generated from those announcements. Sometime it is hard to explain how folks in small communities especially of color have been left behind for years and forgotten. I looked into the eyes of those community leaders and residents and saw myself and my family. Reality set in when this little black woman walked up to me and said “Baby where have y’all been because we have needed help”. As I said it is hard to explain but we did something great yesterday as we strive to do everyday. Big thank you to Mike and the Arkansas team for a job well done. It was a long day but well worth it. Thanks for allowing me to connect with the communities like I grew up in!
