Senators Blunt Rochester, Justice Introduce Bill to Support Farmers Faced with Flood Risks
Companion Legislation was Introduced by Representatives Panetta, Feenstra in the House of Representatives
Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and Jim Justice (R-W. Va.) were joined by Congressmen Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.-19) and Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa-04) to introduce the bipartisan, bicameral Farmers Lifeline Options for Overcoming Disasters Act, or the FLOOD Act. This legislation would help farmers place floodplain easements on their property to mitigate flooding before a weather event occurs.
By adding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Emergency Watershed Program to the Regional Conservation Partnership Program, this bill would increase access to resources for rural community members seeking to reduce the impact of flooding on their land through the purchase of voluntary easements.
“As the lowest lying state in the nation, Delawareans know the risk of flooding all too well,” said Senator Blunt Rochester. “Our farming communities are key to both our culture and economy. Which is why I’m proud to introduce the FLOOD Act to ensure farmers in the First State and across the country have the resources they need to protect their properties, their crops, and their livelihoods.”
“West Virginia knows all too well the devastation that flooding can bring – tearing through communities, damaging homes, threatening farmers’ livelihoods, and leaving families picking up the pieces. Farmers contend with the weather every day and face threats from natural disasters every year – putting their operations and way of life at risk. I’m proud to join this legislation to help make sure that there are tools and resources available to safeguard lives, farms, and other property in watersheds from natural disasters, including floods,” said Senator Jim Justice.
“More farmers more often are facing devastating floods, which are the second-most damaging natural disaster to agricultural production worldwide,” said Rep. Panetta. “Our bipartisan, bicameral FLOOD Act would make it easier for farmers to create voluntary easements to mitigate future damage, restore native habitat, and produce the flood-compatible tools that they need to protect their livelihoods. That’s the least that we can do in Congress as farmers continue to strengthen our food supply and keep putting food on America’s tables.”
“Representing one of the most rural congressional districts in the nation, I know firsthand how devastating floods and other natural disasters can be for our farmers and rural communities,” said Rep. Feenstra. “Our agricultural economy is the backbone of our country, and those communities deserve the resources they need not only to recover quickly, but to emerge stronger and more resilient after disaster strikes. I’m proud to help lead this commonsense legislation to ensure the USDA can deliver timely assistance to disaster-impacted communities and support our farmers, small businesses, and rural communities when they need it most.”
The FLOOD Act has been endorsed by the following organizations: The Nature Conservancy, American Rivers Action Fund, Delaware Department of Agriculture, Delaware Rural Water Association, National Association of Conservation Districts, American Floodplain Coalition, National Association of Counties, Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed, Farm Aid, American Sustainable Business Network, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, Iowa Environmental Council, West Virginia Rivers Coalition, Coastal Prairie Conservancy, Center for Rural Affairs, Socially Responsible Agriculture Project, Indiana Conservation Voters, Extreme Weather Survivor, Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, Choose Clean Water Coalition, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the University of Delaware, and American Flood Coalition Action.
Quotes from endorsing organizations can be found HERE.