Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) announced today by USDA

January 14, 2015

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(Washington, DC) – One hundred innovative conservation projects across the country will benefit from roughly $370 million in funding under the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) announced today by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Projects include local efforts to protect critical drinking water supplies, restore salmon habitat, and build the resiliency of rivers and communities impacted by drought.

American Rivers is a lead partner in RCPP projects to improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay, promote water and energy efficient irrigation in the Colorado River Basin, and secure water for farms and fish in the Columbia and Yakima River Basins.

RCPP is a new approach to investing in natural resource conservation that empowers local communities and demonstrates the importance of strong public-private partnerships. Multiple partners are involved in each project, leveraging their financial and technical capabilities. RCPP energizes unique local-state-federal partnerships, creates new opportunities for innovation, and draws on local knowledge and networks to fuel conservation projects.

“We applaud Secretary Vilsack and NRCS Chief Weller for this strong federal commitment and investment in innovative local approaches to conservation,” said Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers. “Water is the defining conservation issue for urban and rural communities nationwide. Solutions to our water challenges will take creativity and collaboration. This new program will bring people together in new ways, and we are confident it will produce great benefits for people and rivers alike.”

About American Rivers

American Rivers protects wild rivers, restores damaged rivers, and conserves clean water for people and nature. Since 1973, American Rivers has protected and restored more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects, and an annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® campaign. Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and more than 250,000 members, supporters, and volunteers.

Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Find your connections at AmericanRivers.org, Facebook.com/AmericanRivers, and Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.