CWSRF Can Work for Agriculture

Sharing Stories of Success

One of the leading causes of impairments to our Nation’s waters is agricultural nonpoint source pollution. On-farm conservation practices are a key part of adapting to climate change and ensuring healthy, vibrant communities. The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) is one tool that can help support these efforts. Nonpoint source projects (which include agricultural projects) make up 54% of CWSRF loans but equate to only 5% of the money (over the past 3 decades). The Region 3 states prioritize the funding for nonpoint source projects, but they generally cost much less. Delaware was first in the country to use its Clean Water SRF for agricultural practices. And today, our Mid-Atlantic states have funded 125 agricultural practices totaling over $16.4 million over the past five years.

The CWSRF financed every eligible agriculture project that is submitted in Region 3 and there is the capacity to fund more with the historic increase in CWSRF funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which provides EPA with $11.7 billion in supplemental funding for states, Tribes, and territories. These are historic times for the CWSRF program, affording us the unprecedented opportunity to address the needs of the agricultural community that will result in sustainable farms and restored local streams.

On April 28^th, 2022, EPA and the Director of the Maryland and Delaware associations of conservation districts hosted the CWSRF Agricultural Conservation: Sharing Stories of Success webinar to provide an overview of the CWSRF and share stories on how the CWSRF can help finance agricultural conservation projects.

Moving forward, the CWSRF for agricultural conservation has immense capacity to further regional priorities addressing disproportionate climate impacts to underserved communities.

CWSRF Can Work for Agriculture

Sharing Stories of Success

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