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River Rally 2026 has ended
Welcome to River Rally 2026
Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm CDT
As Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funds sunset in FY2026, a critical question looms: what comes next? Base State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs were already overstretched before this historic $43 billion investment, and the nation’s water infrastructure financing gap continues to grow. Without coordinated action, we risk reverting to business as usual.
From 2022–2025, PolicyLink partnered with EPIC, River Network, and 16 CBOs across the South to analyze state SRF programs and drive sustained state and federal advocacy. In this interactive 90-minute panel, water justice leaders from Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Texas will share lessons from the ground - including barriers faced, concrete wins achieved, and how SRF campaigns became catalysts for broader efforts to increase long-term water investment.
Through storytelling, discussion, and Q&A, participants will explore how to move funding from authorization to implementation, prevent backsliding as BIL dollars expire, and organize across states to close the water infrastructure gap.

Target Audience
Water professionals, federal/state water policy advocates, water justice leaders/CBOs interested in financing water infrastructure.
Funders that recognize that water will remain undervalued unless we adequately and sustainably fund a water justice movement that centers those with lived experience.
Speakers
avatar for Marie Campbell

Marie Campbell

Community Engagement Director, Harpeth Conservancy

avatar for Usman Mahmood

Usman Mahmood

Senior Policy Analyst, Bayou City Waterkeeper
Iceman coming soon
avatar for Kennedy Moore

Kennedy Moore

State Policy Coordinator & EPA Urban Waters Ambassador, The Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans
A local water advocate dedicated to actualizing water as a human right for the Southeast Louisiana area — specifically within the Lake Pontchartrain Watershed. My organization aims to draw arts and culture into water advocacy through partnerships and collaboration to create community-driven... Read More →
avatar for Portia Shepherd

Portia Shepherd

Executive Director, Black Belt Women Rising
avatar for Yasmin Zaerpoor

Yasmin Zaerpoor

Director of Water Equity and Climate Resilience, PolicyLink
Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm CDT
Sabino Westin Riverwalk Wan Antonio: 420 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

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