SE Kansas News

U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), along with U.S. Representatives Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) and Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), have introduced the Water Project Navigators Act. This bill aims to establish a new program at the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) to fund navigator positions within states, Tribes, and rural communities. The objective is to enhance capacity for developing, funding, and implementing water management and conservation projects.

“Widespread drought is impacting many communities across Kansas, hurting family farms, local municipalities, and businesses,” said Sen. Moran. “While there are federal resources available to help preserve water, accessing these resources can be a challenge for Tribal and rural communities. This legislation will connect these communities with the resources available to them to help combat the impact of droughts.”

Sen. Hickenlooper emphasized the need for equitable distribution of federal funds: “Rural and Tribal communities deserve their fair share of federal funds to address drought but all too often are left out. Our Water Project Navigators will help these communities get their share.”

Rep. Pettersen highlighted the accelerating effects of climate change on water resources in Colorado: “The effects of climate change continue to accelerate, and the impact on our critical water resources is felt throughout Colorado. However, many areas – like our most rural areas in Colorado – lack the necessary resources to secure federal funds for water projects."

Rep. Ciscomani stressed Arizona's urgent need for water conservation tools: “In Arizona, water is our most precious resource. As the drought worsens in the West, it is now more important than ever that impacted communities have the necessary tools to secure federal dollars for critical multi-benefit water infrastructure projects.”

The Water Project Navigators Act seeks to close resource gaps by creating navigator positions designed to assist communities in planning, implementing, and securing resources for projects aimed at improving water efficiency, reducing consumption, and enhancing ecosystem resilience.

Local leaders have expressed support for this initiative:

“As a rural community facing severe drought, the City of Russell supports the Water Projects Navigators Act as a means to assist communities like ours in securing long-term sustainable water resources,” stated a representative from Russell.

“The Kansas Association of Conservation Districts (KACD) applauds Sen. Moran’s and Hickenlooper’s leadership to address water challenges in our region,” noted KACD.

The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) also voiced its approval: “The Water Project Navigators Act would provide important tools and resources to help communities across the West address urgent water conservation issues.”

Further support comes from various organizations including Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, National Water Resources Association, Trout Unlimited, Audubon Society, Farmers Conservation Alliance, The Nature Conservancy among others.

A draft of the bill can be found online.