NEW MEXICO

News Release United States Depart of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service 6200 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque NM 87109 Phone:  (505) 761-4400  Web:  http://www.nm.nrcs.usda.gov

May 8, 2012

NRCS Contact:
Rey Adame
(505) 761-4406

NRCS N.M. Announces National Water Quality Initiative Conservation

Agricultural Producers located in priority watersheds will be able to participate

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – State Conservationist J. Xavier Montoya announced the launch of a new National Water Quality Initiative committed to improving two impaired waterways in New Mexico. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will manage the initiative by making funds available to farmers, ranchers and forest landowners in the selected watersheds.

“The Water Quality Initiative will further NRCS’ partnership efforts to improve water quality using voluntary actions on private lands,” Montoya said. “This initiative is a focused approach in areas facing significant natural resource challenges. It bolsters the positive results of landscape conservation initiatives NRCS and its partners already have underway,” the NRCS New Mexico state conservationist.  

Through this effort, eligible producers in the Arroyos-Pecos Gallinas River and the Town of Midway- Pecos River watershed communities will invest in voluntary conservation actions to help provide cleaner water for their neighbors and communities. These two watersheds were identified with help from state agencies, partners, and the NRCS State Technical Committee.

Using funds from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, NRCS will provide funding and advise to producers to install conservation practices such as cover crops, filter strips and terraces in watersheds with impairments where the federal investment can make a difference to improve water quality.

“American farmers are good stewards of the environment, especially when they have the tools they need to protect or improve fish and wildlife habitat and water quality,” said NRCS Chief Dave White. “We look forward to collaborating with producers in key watersheds to help them have a positive impact on streams with impaired water quality.”

Funding will assist producers in addressing high priority water resource concerns in selected small watersheds. The two targeted watersheds are located in San Miguel and Chaves Counties.  Contact the NRCS Las Vegas Service Center or NRCS Roswell Service Center  for more information.

NRCS accepts applications for financial assistance on a continuous basis throughout the year. All applications for funding consideration, during this fiscal year, must be received by June 15, 2012. This summer, NRCS will notify all applicants of the results and begin developing contracts with selected applicants.

Since 1935, NRCS’s nationwide conservation delivery system works with private landowners to put conservation on the ground based on specific, local conservation needs, while accommodating state and national interests. For more information about NRCS’ programs, initiatives and services in New Mexico visit us online at http://www.nm.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/.

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