The U.S. Senate today gave final approval to the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act. The WIIN Act contains the Water Resources Development Act of 2016, which authorizes investment in ports, locks, dams and other water infrastructure improvements across the country. The measure also includes Oklahoma’s water rights agreement between the states, Oklahoma City and the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations. Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Tom Buchanan praised the legislation in the following statement.
“As Oklahoma farmers and ranchers, our very livelihood hinges on a clean and accessible supply of water. We not only use it to irrigate our crops and provide for our livestock, but also rely on it to transport our commodities to market. By investing in water infrastructure projects, the WIIN Act helps guarantee we can continue producing and marketing high-quality and affordable food to our nation and to the world.
“This legislation also approves Oklahoma’s historic water rights agreement, providing a pathway for our state to explore and act on methods to provide a safe and plentiful water supply for every single Oklahoman.
“As always, we are thankful for Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe’s support of farmers and ranchers. We know this legislation would not be possible without his vision, hard work and leadership.”
