2005 Environmental Quality Incentive Program

Local Work Group Summary for Espanola

Introduction:

The Espanola Field Office is located in the north central part of the state, in the Rio Grande Valley, just below the confluence of the Rio Chama and Rio Grande.  The Rio Grande is New Mexico’s main waterway and dissects the entire state from north to south, providing habitat and life to all species within it’s narrow corridor.  The Espanola Field Office area consists of surface irrigated small farms and small rangeland livestock operations.  Organic farming of produce is reappearing in the area along with specialty crops such as herbs.  Small cow/calf operations graze Federal lands.

Local Work Group:

The East Rio Arriba SWCD invited members to the Local Work Group Meeting on October 14, 2004.  Invitations were sent to federal agencies, state and local governments and to the two Pueblo Governors within the SWCD.  Several representatives from different State and County departments responded to the invitation and provided input for recommendations.

Priority Resource Concerns:

The Local Work Group agreed that water quantity for irrigation is the number one priority along the with water quality for all uses.  Soil erosion, irrigation induced and rangeland erosion was considered second priority along with the watershed stability.  Restoring and improving wildlife habitat was another concern, especially along streams.  Control of noxious weeds was deemed necessary to be able to achieve strides towards the other priorities.

Funding Considerations:

The Local Work Group was informed as to how the State will allocate funds to it’s priority concerns and the allocation process to non-tribal and tribal lands.  The Group decided that all the priority resource concerns are important and funding should not be divided by formula but rather the applicants compete for funding through the ranking process for the entire allocation of non-tribal and tribal lands.

Cost Docket:

The Local Work Group recommended a few modifications to the Rio Arriba County cost docket (see attached).  It was also recommended that all components average cost be increased by 5-10% due to the excessive cost of fuels (transportation) which affects every component.

Please refer to the links for the cost docket and eligible practices to view the final practices, cost share rates and component costs.

Eligible Practices:

The Group approved the list of practices eligible for cost share.  The LWG also recommended that funded contracts involving BF/BR have a cap of $15,000 per CIN in addition to the $30,000 dollar cap of the 15% higher cost share rate.

 Please refer to the links for the cost docket and eligible practices to view the final practices, cost share rates and component costs.

Cost Share Rates, Incentive Payments and Caps:

The Local Work Group did not recommend any incentive payments only structural practices.  Some practices were recommended at the 65% level because the Group felt that these practices would have a positive impact on the natural resource priorities identified and the 65% level is needed for active implementation of these practices.

A $15,000 financial assistance cap has been established for all CINs in contracts for Beginning Farmers & Ranchers.

Please refer to the links for the cost docket and eligible practices to view the final practices, cost share rates and component costs.

Ranking Criteria:

The ranking criteria worksheets were developed for irrigated lands and grazing lands which address the priority resource concerns.  Each worksheet has a total of 200 points available since the Local Work Group recommends that applicants compete for a single allocation for non-tribal land and a single allocation for tribal lands.

Please refer to the ranking criteria links to view the final approved criteria.

Timelines, Evaluation Periods:

All applications must be submitted by January 28, 2005.

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