2012 Ogallala Aquifer Initiative

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Colorado will provide approximately $1,800,000 to conserve the water in the Ogallala Aquifer. The NRCS will fund this initiative through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

The Ogallala Aquifer, also known as the High Plains Aquifer, is a vast yet shallow underground water table aquifer located beneath the Great Plains in the United States. It is one of the world's largest aquifers and covers an area in portions of eight states, which include Colorado, South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas.

Much of the High Plains region relies on the Ogallala for water but the water in the Ogallala Aquifer is diminishing because of widespread irrigation use in the High Plains states. In Colorado, water quantity and quality has been a high priority resource concern under EQIP. The additional funding will allow opportunity for agriculture producers to address these concerns.

NRCS accepts applications on an ongoing basis. There will be two funding cycles in 2012. The first funding cycle will be March 30, 2012. The second funding cycle will be June 1, 2012.

EQIP Sign-up Information On-Line

EQIP sign-up information is available online. The application for the EQIP program can be found at  Applications for the EQIP program - NRCS-CPA-1200 and NRCS-CPA-1202.

For more information, please contact your local NRCS office or visit the NRCS Colorado website at http://www.co.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip.html.

These documents require Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Word.

EQIP Special Initiative Regular 2012 Pay Schedule

EQIP Special Initiative HU 2012 Pay Schedule

2012 Eligible Practices for the Ogallala Aquifer Initiative

Ogallala Aquifer Initiative Application Ranking Summary

Ogallala Aquifer Initiative Screening Tool