2009 White River Irrigation District AWEP Project Additional Funding

Deadline to Sign Up Extended to May 13, 2011

May 13, 2011 is the new deadline to sign up for an Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP) project designed to conserve surface and ground water and improve pumping efficiency.

“We have $550,000 available for this project and are focusing on counties identified as having a critical groundwater decline by the project’s sponsors,” said Mike Sullivan, state conservationist. “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.”

The project, managed by NRCS and the White River Irrigation District, allows producers to install fuel and water monitoring equipment on an estimated 300 wells or re-lifts.  The project boundary includes all or portions of Arkansas, Clay, Conway, Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Faulkner, Greene, Jackson, Jefferson, Lee, Lonoke, Mississippi, Monroe, Perry, Poinsett, Pope, Prairie, Pulaski, St. Francis, Van Buren, Woodruff and Yell counties.

 “We will install devices on farmers’ 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.

Who is Eligible? 

Environmental Quality Incentives Program eligible landowners and farmers.  Farmers who are not the landowner are eligible but must show they have control of the land by lease or other arrangement as specified in Section 512.21 of the Conservation Program Contracting Manual of 440-V-CPM.

 What is the Geographic Area Covered? 

In areas identified as having a critical groundwater decline by the project sponsors. The area includes all or portions of Arkansas, Clay, Conway, Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Faulkner, Greene, Jackson, Jefferson, Lee, Lonoke, Mississippi, Monroe, Perry, Poinsett, Pope, Prairie, Pulaski, St. Francis, Van Buren, Woodruff and Yell counties.

• Map of Area

 Where and when do I sign up? 

 Sign up by May 13, 2011 at the local USDA office that services your area.

Additional Information

• USDA Announces $550,000 Available for Water Conservation Project News Release (Jan. 4, 2011)
• 2010 AWEP Information (Archived)
• 2009 AWEP Information (Archived)

Program Contact

Corey Farmer
(501) 301-3122

Last Modified: 05/09/2011

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