The Yolo County Resource Conservation District landed $1 million to help improve the quantity and quality of water on agricultural lands. The Sutter County Resource Conservation District was awarded $1.15 million to improve water conservation and quality on Gilsizer Slough.

Last year, Congress created the Agricultural Water Enhancement Program in the Farm Bill as part of an Environmental Quality Incentives Program to promote ground and surface water conservation and improve water quality on ag land.

California is one of 21 states to be awarded funds under the program.

“The Sacramento River Watershed is an incredibly valuable resource to all of us, especially those of us in California’s Central Valley,” Matsui said in a news release. “The Sacramento River is the life blood to California for agricultural, environmental and urban uses. We must keep it healthy and the AWEP funding awarded to California, particularly for Sutter and Yolo counties, will go a log way in doing that.”

Matsui was instrumental in securing a priority designation for the watershed, which will help the region secure additional funding.