Washington D.C.-based environment and sustainability consultancy 9b Group, Inc. has been retained by the National Watershed Coalition for Capitol Hill representation on lobbying issues pertaining to agriculture.

National Watershed CoalitionPawnee, OK-based National Watershed Coalition is a nonprofit comprised of national, state and regional entities that advocates the use of watersheds as a planning and implementation measure for managing natural resources issues. The coalition was formed in 1989.

The NWC has retained 9b to advocate and educate members of Congress on the PL-566 Watershed Program, which was created under the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act and offers financial and technical assistance for flood control, water conservation and watershed protection initiatives. The program currently involves more than 500 active projects.

The account will be managed by 9b Group co-founder and partner Pelham Straughn, who was formerly policy director for the House Committee on Agriculture under Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK).

9b Group, which is incorporated as a benefit corporation, is currently the only such Washington, D.C. lobbying and consulting entity focused on conservation issues. The consultancy has also represented The American Farmland Trust.