Western Water Security Initiative Brings $15 Million USDA Investment to TCID

T-Line Canal. Image courtesy of Mapcarta.com

The Truckee-Carson Irrigation District (TCID) held a special board session on October 30 to consider approving a grant agreement with the Farm Service Agency (FSA), an arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), related to canal infrastructure improvements and ongoing water conservation efforts.

This grant, part of a larger $400 million national investment, aims to aid Western irrigation districts like TCID in funding projects to improve and enhance water conservation. According to information released by Senator Jacky Rosen's office in August, she and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto have been pushing for drought investments and resources that support water savings technologies and farming practices.

That push has paid off. In August, the USDA preliminarily selected TCID to receive up to $15 million in funding from the USDA to help area farmers and ranchers continue production while conserving water. "Nevada ranchers and farmers are being impacted by the severe drought conditions we're seeing due to the climate crisis," said Rosen. "That's why I'm proud to have secured funding for northern Nevada communities to help our farmers and ranchers continue their operations while conserving water."

On August 26, USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small visited Fallon to tour Abe's Hay and meet with local water users to discuss new water conservation initiatives in the region. According to the secretary, the planned investments are part of the Western Water framework that identifies resources to support farmers fighting drought throughout the US that includes bread and butter programs like NRCS's EQIP program, for example, as well as this new program, which draws from the Commodity Corporation. "Here, we're focusing specifically on water-saving commodities to support farmers as they find ways, in years where there's low water, to build out stronger irrigation systems or work with water deficit farming or increased precision agriculture," said Torres Small.

Deputy USDA Secretary Tours Area Farm, Discusses Drought and Water

According to USDA, the $400 million Biden-Harris initiative covers 12 states and includes 18 Western irrigation districts. Officials estimate the funds will help conserve up to 50,000 acre-feet of water use across 250,000 acres of irrigated farm ground. Additionally, these projects will help improve aging infrastructure and strengthen water security in the West.

The grant, which does not require TCID to match funds, will support agriculture in the region and improve water conservation efforts. Additionally, the USDA aims to sustain and expand markets for water-saving commodities, such as independently produced unprocessed farm and ranch products. In Nevada, commodities are primarily grown to feed livestock and dairy cattle but can include any number of cultivated, raised, or harvested products.

TCID, the only district in Nevada included in the initiative, plans to use a portion of the grant funds to line a segment of the T-Line Canal and install advanced Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems and automation throughout its distribution network. According to TCID, these systems will produce water savings, benefiting all water users by making the district more drought-ready and resilient.

In addition to TCID's receipt of grant funds, they are offering grants to assist local farmers improve water conservation. Producers in the Carson Division are encouraged to apply for a TCID grant to support on-farm projects to conserve water. No matching funds are required. Depending on the water savings potential and available funding, TCID plans to select one to three projects for grant awards. Eligible projects may include ditch lining or piping, field leveling, installation of water-saving technology, and similar improvements. The deadline to apply is November 15, 2024.

 Like every farmer, rancher, and dairyman in the valley, irrigation is a primary concern for continued production and the future of their farms. "Water is king," said Abe Schank during Torres Small's visit. Like most Nevada farmers, Schank believes that improved irrigation, farming methods, and conservation efforts are essential to the future of farming in Nevada and the West.