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WASHINGTON D.C. — U.S. Representatives Zach Nunn (IA-03) introduced bipartisan legislation to support rural communities during a natural disaster. The Flooding Prevention, Assessment, and Restoration Act, led by U.S. Representative Don Davis (NC-01), would help rural communities by enhancing flood protection and recovery efforts during disasters.
“Iowa’s farmers are the backbone of our nation’s food and fuel supply, and when disaster strikes, they’re often the first to feel the impact,” said Rep. Nunn. “Floods and other natural disasters devastate local communities, and this bill will ensure that our rural communities have the resources to restore their land, rebuild their livelihoods, and keep feeding America.”
Over the last 20 years, flooding and storms have contributed to one third of all crop losses. In 2019 alone, Midwestern farmers lost $6 billion in crop sales due to rain. After the 2020 Derecho, Iowa farmers experienced crop losses totaling more than $490 million. Yet, under current law, federal assistance programs such as the Emergency Watershed Protection Program only allow for land restoration to pre-disaster conditions, even if that land was already degraded.
“Farmers and rural communities in eastern North Carolina know the devastating impact of flooding all too well,” said Rep. Davis. “The Flooding Prevention, Assessment, and Restoration Act empowers the Natural Resources Conservation Service to enhance flood protection beyond pre-disaster levels after a disastrous event. It equips our rural areas with data to combat flooding and eases the financial strain of repairing aging flood prevention infrastructure.”
This bill gives farmers the tools they need to restore land to above pre-disaster conditions, allowing for stronger flood protection measures that safeguard our crops and prevent food and fuel supply disruptions across the nation.
Text of the bill can be found here.
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