DISTRICT'S AWEP PROPOSAL APPROVED FOR FY 2010

HALSTEAD - The District submitted a proposal to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in May to receive funding for the Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP).  The District's proposal was approved, in the amount of $1,135,000 for FY 2010 for the purpose of addressing groundwater resources issues, specifically inefficient water use on irrigated land and aquifer overdraft.  The other two approvals in Kansas were Northwest Kansas Groundwater Management District #4 in Colby, and Big Bend Groundwater Management District #5 in Stafford.

AWEP is a voluntary conservation initiative that provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to implement agricultural water enhancement activities on agricultural land for the purposes of conserving surface and ground water and improving water quality.

As part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), AWEP operates through program contracts with producers to plan and implement conservation practices in project areas established through partnership agreements.  Project proposals are approved based upon an estimated amount of funding requested by the partner.  The District requested $1,135,000 per year for 5 years, for a total of $5,675,000.  The actual dollar amount available for each fiscal year will be determined by NRCS.

The AWEP funds available in the District will provide financial assistance for producers to upgrade to more efficient systems (ie. flood irrigation to sub-surface drip irrigation or center pivot, etc.)  In addition to system upgrades, producers will be able to receive financial assistance to utilize irrigation water management plans, such as K-State's "KanSched".

If eligible, producers could receive a one-time payment of $650 per acre to convert to sub-surface drip irrigation, and $325 per acre to convert to efficient sprinkler (ie. center pivot).  Utilizing an irrigation water management plan pays $10 per acre for 3 years.  Additional funding for FY 2010 may be available for underground irrigation water conveyance pipeline installation when converting to a higher efficiency system.  A higher per acre payment for using an irrigation water management plan may be available if the producer reduces current water use by a minimum of 35%.  Funding caps and limitations may apply to any or all of the funding requests.

Program applicants must meet the eligibility requirements of the EQIP program and must apply for assistance through local NRCS field offices.  The deadline for all applications to be submitted to local NRCS field offices is August 13, 2010.  If EQIP paperwork has previously been submitted, it needs to be updated as soon as possible to meet the requirements of the AWEP program.

If interested, contact your local NRCS office as soon as possible - time is of the essence, as the deadline for all applications is August 13, 2010.

See additional information at: www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/awep