USDA Announces $58 Million to Improve Water Quality and Quantity in Agricultural Production

St. Joseph River and Kalamazoo Watersheds in Michigan to Receive $1.5 Million

EAST LANSING, July 31, 2009 — U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Dave White announced nearly $58 million for water conservation and water quality improvements on agricultural working lands. The funding includes $1.5 million targeted to producers in the St. Joseph River and Kalamazoo River watersheds in southwest Michigan.

“We must take steps to protect and preserve our water resources, and the Obama Administration is committed to using this program to provide financial and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers to improve water conditions on their land,” said White.

The Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP) promotes ground and surface water conservation and improves water quality by helping farmers and ranchers implement agricultural water enhancement activities. With the services and resources of other conservation partners, AWEP allows the Federal Government to leverage investment in natural resources conservation.

The $1.5 million in funding for Michigan will be used as financial assistance for producers to implement conservation measures that reduce water use and improve water quality. Eligible producers have from August 3 to August 21 to apply for the financial assistance at their local USDA Service Center. The St. Joseph River and Kalamazoo River watersheds in Michigan include Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren counties and portions of Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Eaton, Hillsdale, Jackson, Kent and Ottawa counties. Additional AWEP funding is available for Indiana counties within the watersheds.

Landowners can obtain funding through AWEP for several types of projects, including:

· Water quality or water conservation plan development, including resource condition assessment and modeling;
· Water conservation restoration or enhancement projects, including conversion to the production of less water-intensive agricultural commodities or dry land farming;
· Water quality or quantity restoration or enhancement projects;
· Irrigation system improvement or irrigation efficiency enhancement;
· Activities designed to mitigate the effects of drought and climate change; and
· Other related activities deemed by the Secretary to help achieve water quality or water     conservation benefits on agricultural land.

AWEP was established by the 2008 Farm Bill and funding comes from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service administers the program. Though participating AWEP producers do not need to have existing EQIP contracts, they must be eligible for EQIP. All partner proposals were selected competitively.

Additional information, including a map showing the area eligible for AWEP financial assistance and a listing of USDA Service Centers, can be found at www.mi.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip.html.
 

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