Heitkamp Joins Secretary Vilsack to Announce New Federal Funds for Red River Valley Flood Prevention

Press Release

U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today joined U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack as he announced $50 million in federal funds to help support flood prevention and conservation in the Red River Valley.

In crafting the Farm Bill as a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Heitkamp worked to include the new Regional Conservation Partnership Program, which is where this funding will be directed. While the program covers a variety of states, these new federal funds will specifically support the Red River Valley in North Dakota and Minnesota. During the Farm Bill negotiations, Heitkamp drew attention to the flood protection needs of the Red River Valley and pushed to make sure it would be eligible for assistance. The initiative will allow North Dakotans in the Red River Valley to be compensated for helping USDA in its water retention efforts.

"The major funding announced by Secretary Vilsack is an affirmation of the flood prevention provisions we worked so hard to include in the Farm Bill," said Heitkamp. "With the strong support from Congressman Peterson, we were able to get this smart program signed into law. These new funds will not only benefit communities up and down the Red River Valley, but will also compensate North Dakota farmers for their work to reduce flooding on the Red River through water retention efforts."

Through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program, USDA coordinates and provides resources to help farmers install and maintain water conservation activities. In addition to flood prevention, the initiative will also help restore or sustain natural resources, including supporting clean water, productive soil, and enhanced wildlife and pollinator habitat.

During a meeting before the announcement, Heitkamp also discussed with Secretary Vilsack the challenges facing North Dakota farmers who are unable to get their crop into the ground because of yet another wet spring. Heitkamp reiterated her request for USDA to support farmers who have been prevented from planting. As USDA implements the 2014 Farm Bill, Heitkamp wants to make sure farmers receive appropriate and accurate support from the Agriculture Risk Coverage safety net program by using the correct current year revenue calculation.

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