USDA Announces $640,000 Available for Water Conservation Project

LITTLE ROCK, ARK., April 15, 2010 -- U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service State Conservationist Mike Sullivan today announced the availability of $640,000 for an Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP) project approved and funded in 2009.

AWEP funding will be used to install fuel and water monitoring equipment on an estimated 300 wells or re-lifts in all or portions of Arkansas, Clay, Craighead, Cross, Green, Jefferson, Lee, Lonoke, Monroe, Poinsett, Prairie, Pulaski and St. Francis counties.

“The additional funding this year allows us to expand last year’s project area. We are focusing on counties identified as having a critical groundwater decline by the project’s sponsors,” Sullivan said. “By monitoring the fuel and water systems on these farms, we hope to improve water conservation and water quality on agricultural working lands in portions of Arkansas.”

AWEP promotes ground and surface water conservation and improves water quality by helping farmers and ranchers implement agricultural water enhancement activities. NRCS has agreed to partner with the White River Irrigation District in implementing this program which allows the Federal Government to leverage investment in natural resources conservation.

We will install devices on farmer’s wells and re-lifts to measure the fuel usage, the water pumped, and the engine status.  The information can be used to fine tune the pumping and reduce pumping costs by 10 percent or more in most cases,” said Dennis Carman, chief engineer and director for the White River Irrigation District.

The application deadline for funding consideration under this project is May 17, 2010. Interested individuals should contact their local USDA NRCS office or call the White River Irrigation District office (870-255-2202) located in Hazen, Ark., for additional information.

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