NRCS Colorado 2007 News Release

La Junta, CO - The Colorado USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) allocated approximately an additional $900,000 in Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) dollars to the Lower Arkansas River Watershed for resource recovery this summer.

“This Colorado initiative was aimed at the natural resources in the Lower Arkansas Watershed that were affected by the weather extremes of this past winter and spring,” says John Knapp, NRCS Area Conservationist, La Junta, Colo.

The three critical resource issues that were addressed were soil erosion, rangeland, and water quality/quantity. Targeted key practices were prescribed grazing, fencing, water development, residue management, irrigation water management, and associated practices to support these key resource issues.

The counties in the Lower Arkansas River Watershed affected by this were Crowley, Otero, Bent, Kiowa, Prowers, Baca, and parts of Lincoln, Pueblo, and Las Animas.

“Landowners are reminded that they can sign up at any time for EQIP,” says Knapp. “If a landowner has conservation work that needs to be done, it is best to go in and get signed up so that when funding such as this comes along you are ready to go. NRCS will again fund applications this fall when a new round of EQIP dollars becomes available.”

EQIP is a cost-share program, established in 1997, that provides financial assistance for conservation systems such as animal waste management facilities, irrigation system improvements, fencing and water supply development for improved grazing management, riparian protection, and wildlife habitat enhancement.

Landowners should contact their local NRCS field office to sign up for the program. Information on EQIP and other NRCS programs in Colorado can be found by visiting the web at www.co.nrcs.usda.gov.
 

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