IA Letter Regarding Implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act
September 14, 2022
The Honorable Deb Haaland
Secretary, U.S. Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20240
The Honorable Camille Calimlim Touton
Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20240
Dear Secretary Haaland and Commissioner Touton:
On behalf of the approximately 1,300 member companies of the Irrigation Association, I write to encourage the administration to prioritize and promptly implement the drought mitigation provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act and to ensure that efforts to address serious drought conditions in the West prioritize the use of water efficiency tools and systems, take into account the interests of impacted stakeholders and industries, and recognize the economic impacts on the agriculture and landscape sectors.
We recognize that the drought facing this region is serious and requires hard choices by policymakers, water managers and water users. We also know that as stewards of water resources, irrigation professionals must incorporate efficient technologies, products and services to ensure water is available for irrigation for future generations. Our industry stands ready to contribute in a meaningful way to dialogue and solutions that have a lasting impact on the sustainability of our nation’s water resources.
As the federal government addresses this ongoing drought and implements the Inflation Reduction Act, it must recognize the important environmental, economic and social benefits of irrigated farmland and landscapes — including food security, economic development, wildlife habitat, carbon sequestration, heat reduction, water retention and dust control — and ensure these sectors have a seat at the table.
We encourage an approach that rewards efficient water use; supports sustainable economic and population growth; develops, maintains and manages needed infrastructure; emphasizes the value of water reuse strategies; educates stakeholders about water use efficiency; and promotes adoption of best practices. Moreover, we encourage you to prioritize water use efficiency tools and systems that will have lasting, long-term benefits over temporary land retirement programs, without recognition of the broader societal contributions of irrigated farmland and landscapes.
Sincerely,
Natasha L Rankin, MBA, CAE
Chief Executive Officer
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