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Conservation district warns ARPA-funded water projects could be at risk as farm bill is extended to 2026
Summary
A Duchesne County conservation-district representative told commissioners that while the 2018 farm bill and USDA funding have been extended through September 2026, some ARPA-funded water-optimization contracts carry expiration dates in 2026 and could be lost unless state funds are used to replace them.
Speaker 9, a conservation-district representative, told the Duchesne County Commission on Dec. 1 that the 2018 farm bill has been extended through Sept. 2026 and that USDA programs supporting local conservation work remain funded through that date. He warned, however, that projects financed with federal ARPA dollars include contractual expiration dates in 2026 and could lose funding unless alternative state support is obtained.
"The first projects that were funded with water optimization was federal funded ARPA funds," Speaker 9 said, adding that those contracts have an expiration date of 2026 and that district staff are exploring whether state funding can replace the work if federal dollars lapse. He said the district is planning to reapply for state funds and hopes to retain as many project contracts as possible.
The presenter told commissioners the basin had 12 applicants for the water-optimization program this year, representing more than $2,000,000 in requested funds. He said the NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) office is understaffed, particularly on the engineering side, which has delayed approvals and slowed project starts.
Speaker 9 also described ongoing local programs: last year the district sold or distributed roughly 4,600 bare-root trees and shrubs at low cost as a community service; a pollinator-grant program attracted strong interest with several local applications; and the district has begun a biological-control pilot—releasing roughly 1,200 weevils—to address spotted knapweed in targeted release areas.
On water infrastructure, Speaker 9 said the Farnsworth Canal work needed sediment removal following burn scars at the headwaters and that contractors are expected to install previously purchased replacement pipe in spring 2026. He noted the district has helped some canal companies pay for pipe and is tracking contractor availability.
The presentation emphasized two near-term uncertainties for local conservation projects: the timing and availability of federal NRCS approvals (limited engineering staff statewide) and the potential expiry of ARPA-funded contracts in 2026. Speaker 9 said the district is pursuing state-level replacement funding and urged local officials to be prepared to assist with outreach and matching funds if needed.
The commission did not take action on the presentation but thanked the presenter for the update. The district left printed handouts with staff for distribution and follow-up.
