More than 100 organization representing Western U.S. agriculture are urging Congress to use infrastructure legislation to address Western water challenges. 

The groups say, “existing water infrastructure in the West is aging and in need of rehabilitation and improvement.” 

 

President Trump has said infrastructure might be one area that both political parties in the 116th Congress can agree upon. 

The Democratic Party’s to-do list also includes an ambitious infrastructure program. 

 

California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson says, “many California water users will still face water shortages in 2019,” despite an above average snowpack, highlighting the need for reforms. 

 

Representative Peter DeFazio, a Democrat from Oregon, was one of the recipients of the letter. 

DeFazio now chairs the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where he intends to lead efforts to produce a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure bill to fund transportation and water projects. 

The letter underscores that water conservation, water recycling, watershed management, conveyance, desalination, water transfers, groundwater storage and surface storage are all needed in a diversified management portfolio.