The federal government announced Thursday, April 21, that it will spend $420 million to repair dams, restore watersheds and develop flood prevention projects in 31 states. The funding is part of an ambitious whole-of-government effort to overhaul critical infrastructure in rural communities threatened by climate change.

Reuters reports that 132 projects in 31 states will benefit from the influx of funds, which will be administered by two watershed projects run by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, a U.S. Department of Agriculture agency. Funded projects include a comprehensive revamp of flood control systems in Arkansas, the modernization of irrigation canals in Oregon and dam upgrades in Georgia and Vermont, among other improvements.

The initiative is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to improve the nation’s aging infrastructure. The announcement comes amid renewed efforts by the White House to ensure that underserved rural regions have streamlined access to federal funds available through the infrastructure law and American Rescue Plan.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-agriculture-dept-invest-420-mln-rural-water-infrastructure-2022-04-21/