USDA NRCS Seeks Comments on the Mississippi River Basin and National Water Quality Initiatives that Can Protect Drinking Water

On March 8, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) published a request for public input on the implementation of the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative (MRBI) and the National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) to better protect and improve water quality (including drinking water sources). NRCS is also seeking comments on how to: engage with partners to provide technical assistance for MRBI and NWQI implementation; and streamline and improve MRBI and NWQI to increase efficiencies and expand access for underserved communities and producers. Both NWQI and MRBI can benefit source water protection and some states have designated NWQI source water protection watersheds. For more information, visit the NRCS NWQI website and read the Federal Register Notice.

The comment period closes on April 7. ASDWA will be working with partners to consider comments. Please contact Deirdre White of ASDWA at dwhite@asdwa.org if you have experience and/or perspectives to share from your state.