Iowa’s farmers and rural communities are no strangers to the havoc that natural disasters, like floods and storms, can bring. The resulting damage has a ripple effect on our nationwide food and fuel supply chain, which is why I’m working to ensure Iowa’s farmers have the tools to extend the health of their land after natural disasters.
Currently, the USDA Emergency Watershed Protection Program provides farmers and rural communities with assistance to recover from natural disasters; however, the program will only allow for restoration efforts that return an area to its pre-disaster condition, even if that condition was previously degraded, limiting the success of the program.
The bipartisan Protecting Farmers from Natural Disasters Act will expand the USDA Emergency Watershed Protection Program to allow for restoration efforts above pre-disaster conditions if the restoration is in the best interest of the long-term health and protection of the watershed.
There is no better steward of our land than farmers – their livelihoods depend on it. This legislation will ensure Iowa’s farmers have the support they need to make decisions in the best interest of our land and country.
Read the bill text here: