The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Colorado, in partnership with the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation is providing funds to improve the efficiency of agricultural water use in portions of two water/irrigation districts in Mesa County, Colorado. This partnership combines on-farm conservation enhancements through NRCS’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program with water-supply infrastructure upgrades funded through Reclamation’s WaterSmart program. Applications must be received by July 13.
Technical and financial assistance are available to agricultural producers in portions of Orchard Mesa Irrigation District and Grand Valley Water Users Association and areas where new on-farm water saving opportunities have been made possible by recent infrastructure improvements through Reclamation WaterSmart. On-farm projects that address insufficient water, water quality degradation or inefficient energy use will be considered for enrollment. Eligible conservation practices include but are not limited to, cover crops, fencing, irrigation systems, livestock pipelines, and other practices that facilitate improvements to water management.
NRCS accepts EQIP applications year-round but establishes cutoff dates to make funding selections for certain opportunities. The cutoff date for this enrollment is July 13 and interested applicants will need to: Develop a conservation plan, submit an application, meet program eligibility requirements and approve the ‘EQIP schedule of operations.’
Applications must be received by July 13. To find out more about this opportunity and to apply, please contact the local NRCS field office in Grand Junction located in the USDA Service Center at 2738 Crossroads Blvd. For more information, please call 970-361-3777.
For more information about NRCS, its benefits and other opportunities, please visit www.co.nrcs.usda.gov.