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NRCS Colorado 2010 News Release

For Immediate Release Contact: Katherine Burse-Johnson                  
Public Affairs Specialist                                  
Office Number: 720-544-2863                        
Fax Number: 720-544-2965                           
   E-Mail: Katherine.Burse-Johnson@co.usda.gov

 

Colorado NRCS Approves Two Projects to Improve Water Quality and Quantity for Agricultural Operations

                 July 14, 2010

Lakewood, CO -- The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Colorado has announced its approval for two projects that will help conserve water and improve water quality on agricultural working lands through the Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP), which leverages additional resources and services from conservation partners.

The two projects include the Neegronda Irrigation Partners Project, aimed at providing viable options to address limited water resources with management and structural practices, and the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District Project, aimed to provide applicants the opportunity to install conservation equipment on their irrigation operation, build a green reservoir, and install radio telemetry on their groundwater well for conservation and water quality monitoring.

“Agricultural producers are the first stewards of our land and water, and NRCS in Colorado is working hard to support efforts to protect and preserve our water resources,” said Tim Carney, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs. “The funding will help producers in Colorado begin or expand projects to improve water quality.”

NRCS will provide more than $550,000 in fiscal year 2010 to fund these two projects through this voluntary program. AWEP provides technical and financial assistance to help farmers and ranchers implement activities to improve agricultural water. The program is administer by NRCS, which enters into agreements with conservation partners to help landowners plan and implement conservation practices in project areas established through the agreements. In each project, individual farmers and ranchers may apply for benefits.

AWEP partners include federally recognized Indian tribes, states, units of local government, agricultural associations, and non-governmental organizations. To become partners, applicants submitted proposals to address the following enhancement activities:

  • Water conservation or quantity restoration or enhancement projects;
  • Water quality restoration or enhancement projects;
  • Water quality or water conservation plan development;
  • Irrigation system improvement or irrigation efficiency enhancement;
  • Activities designed to mitigate the effects of drought and climate change; and
  • Related activities to help achieve water quality or water conservation benefits on agricultural land.
Partner proposals were selected using a competitive process that considered several factors including statutorily defined priority areas, emphasis for water conservation activities such as conversion of irrigated land to dryland farming and assistance to farmers and ranchers to meet regulatory requirements. Approved partners enter into multi-year agreements with NRCS to promote ground and surface water conservation or improve water quality on eligible agricultural lands in the project area. Once these partner agreements are in place, producers in eligible project areas may apply to participate at their local NRCS office.

Additional information about AWEP is available at http://www.co.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/AWEP/AWEP.html, or you can contact your local NRCS office.

NRCS is celebrating 75 years helping people help the land in 2010. Since 1935, the NRCS conservation delivery system has advanced a unique partnership with state and local governments and private landowners delivering conservation based on specific, local conservation needs, while accommodating state and national interests.

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