Conservation Funding Uncertainty Impacts Rural Communities

Strategic Insights -

Watershed coordinator Josh Anderson knows the challenges of implementing conservation on a shoestring budget, particularly with the uncertainty of federal funding. The Walsh County Three Rivers Soil Conservation District has been relying on grants from the Environmental Protection Agency, but the change in federal leadership and cuts in the Trump administration's fiscal year 2026 budget have made those funds harder to come by. Anderson says the office has to be more reliant on local funding sources such as mill levies, which would not be enough to cover the costs of addressing the issues of soil erosion and water quality.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Walsh County Three Rivers Soil Conservation District has been working with federal grants from the Environmental Protection Agency, but the funding uncertainty has made it challenging for the office to maintain its conservation efforts.
  • The district has been relying on local funding sources such as mill levies, but these funds are insufficient to address the issues of soil erosion and water quality.
  • Rebecca Phillips, executive director of the Ecological Insights research nonprofit, has experienced similar funding uncertainty, with her project facing issues with reimbursement and contract uncertainty.
  • Funding for the Park River Watershed has historically covered about 60% of the Walsh County SCD's costs, but this funding is uncertain as a result of federal budget cuts.
  • The Walsh County SCD has seen a decrease in funding for conservation efforts, with the loss of a $5.75 million grant for the Working Lands Cover Crop Initiative.

Statistics:

  • 60% of the Walsh County SCD's costs associated with the Park River Watershed have been covered by federal funds.
  • 75% of the $5.75 million grant for the Working Lands Cover Crop Initiative was to be allocated directly to farmers and ranchers in the region.
  • 3 full-time employees and 2 seasonal employees make up the staff of the Walsh County SCD office.
  • The SCD has planted about 70 trees in the Grafton City Park last spring, thanks to federal funds.

Sources:

  • "Biden administration's Inflation Reduction Act" (2025)
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • Walsh County Three Rivers Soil Conservation District (SCD)
  • Ecological Insights research nonprofit
  • North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality
  • North Dakota Forest Service
  • North Dakota Outdoor Heritage Fund
  • Grand Forks Herald
  • Tribune Content Agency, LLC