Voluntary Groundwater Conservation Act of 2023

The Voluntary Groundwater Conservation Act of 2023 creates a new federal program allowing eligible entities (like state governments, tribes, or certain organizations) to purchase voluntary groundwater conservation easements from agricultural landowners in areas facing significant groundwater depletion. Landowners with eligible groundwater rights can enter into these easements, which restrict future groundwater use while allowing continued farming, in exchange for federal cost-share funding covering up to 65% of the easement's fair market value. The program requires easements to include measurable groundwater pumping reductions and support local groundwater management, with the Secretary prioritizing projects that protect ecosystems and align with state sustainability efforts. It directly affects agricultural landowners in depleted aquifer regions and provides technical assistance to help administer the conservation plans.