Congressional bill would give USDA ‘clear’ authority to work with landowners to mitigate flood risk

Congressional bill would give USDA ‘clear’ authority to work with landowners to mitigate flood risk

Flooding in northwest Iowa June 21, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Gov. Kim Reynolds' office)A federal bill introduced Wednesday by U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst would strengthen the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s role in a program that restores vegetation and wetland structure, in an effort to mitigate flooding and improve water quality.  Known as the “Restoring America’s Floodplains Act,” the bill would simplify language pertaining to the Emergency Watersh…