Friday, Dec 14 2012 4:30PM
A new USDA project may help mitigate the effects of drought in rural areas.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will pilot a program in Kansas and Colorado designed to restore water resources in several rural locations.
The program will be administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service in these two states, and will function by removing sediments from ponds to restore water levels to historic holdings. The USDA said this will not only allow livestock producers and irrigation workers to extend the length of time they can store water, but also serve as an additional conservation option during periods of drought.
The agency notes that the NRCS has already made $16 million available to farmers and ranchers this year to help mitigate the effects of drought.
A separate USDA report shows that nearly 80 percent of agricultural lands were impacted by drought in 2012, the effects of which resulted in significant financial losses for rural farming communities that depend on access to
water system services to meet their needs. In preparation for future droughts, the USDA has vowed to make more funding available at faster rates for rural farmers and ranchers who are facing financial hits.
For more information, check out this resource:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture