Hinson reintroduces bipartisan bill to improve flood, drought mitigation with existing programs

WASHINGTON — North-central Iowa congresswoman Ashley Hinson has reintroduced along with Illinois Democratic congressman Eric Sorensen the bipartisan Flood Resiliency and Land Stewardship Act.

She says the legislation will improve flood and drought mitigation through existing USDA conservation programs.  “The USDA original conversation partnership program was established in the 2014 Farm Bill, and it facilitates partnerships between the Natural Resources Conversation Service and local governments and private entities to find solutions to conservation challenges. Broadly speaking, the Regional Conservation Partnership Program aims to address natural resource concerns, including soil quality, water quality, and wildlife conservation, which I know many Iowans care about.”

Hinson says flooding is a major challenge for American agriculture, especially in Iowa, and conservation practices are a critical component of efforts to help mitigate the risks associated with flooding. “None of the five major USDA conservation programs specifically mention flood prevention or mitigation in their statutory purpose section. That’s why I’m teaming up with Representative Sorenson again to elevate flooding as a natural resource concern within the Regional Conservation Partnership Program. We want to make sure that flood mitigation will be a long-term focus of the program and we want to make sure they’re devoting the necessary resources to help protect our communities.”

Hinson says after covering the flood of 2008 as a television journalist, she saw Iowans band together to recover and rebuild in a resilient way, and that continues to inspire her to fight for proactive solutions that help prioritize common sense flood mitigation and prevention efforts.