DAVIS, Calif., Nov. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- California's farmers and ranchers interested in participating in the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP) have until Dec. 20, 2013, to do so.
AWEP is a voluntary conservation initiative that provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to implement water enhancement activities on agricultural land to conserve surface and ground water and improve water quality.
Eligible producers with a conservation plan for their operation receive priority for financial assistance. NRCS staff is available to help producers create conservation plans on a first-come, first-served basis.
Applications can be submitted throughout the year. Applications received by December 20 will be evaluated for funding priority for available FY 2014 funding. Applications received after December 20 may be considered for future funding.
In order to be considered eligible for AWEP, the applicant must have a vested interest in production agricultural and meet other program eligibility requirements.
AWEP applications are being taken for these existing, approved projects:
Partner Involved | Project Name | Project Summary | Approved Counties: |
Columbia Canal Company | Improving Irrigation Efficiency and Protecting Groundwater Resources | A four-year project to improve irrigation efficiency and protect groundwater resources | Madera County |
Colusa-Glenn Sub-watershed | A Partnership to Improve Surface and Ground Water Quality and Quantity in Colusa Basin Watershed, CA | A five-year project to improve surface and ground water quality and quantity in the Colusa Basin Watershed | Colusa, Glenn, Yolo Counties |
Fall River Resource Conservation District | Lower Pit River Watershed Partnership | A five-year project to improve water conservation and water quality | Shasta, Lassen Counties |
Honey Lake Resource Conservation District | Lower Susan River Watershed Partnership | A five-year project to improve surface water quality | Lassen County |
Palo Verde Resource Conservation District | Eastern Riverside AWEP Project | A four-year project to conserve surface water and groundwater, and enhance water quality | Riverside County |
Farm Bureau San Diego | San Diego County Water Enhancement Program | A five-year project to conserve and enhance agricultural water sources including groundwater, surface water, municipal water and recycled water | San Diego County |
Western Shasta Resource Conservation District | Improving ACID Water Use Efficiency | A four-year project to improve water management, water quality, flood damage and erosion control | Shasta, Tehama Counties |
Yolo County Resource Conservation District | A Partnership Improve Water Quality and Enhance Conservation Efforts on Rangeland in the Sacramento Valley Cluster | A five-year project to improve water quality and enhance conservation efforts on rangeland | Yolo County |
For additional information, eligible producers are encouraged to contact their local NRCS Service Center. Service center locations and more information on the programs can be found at www.ca.nrcs.usda.gov.
NRCS has provided leadership in a partnership effort to help America's private land owners and managers conserve their soil, water and other natural resources since 1935.
SOURCE USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service
