Funds Available to Producers, Entities through New Conservation Program

Note:  The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced that the submission of proposal application for the 2009 Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP) has been reopened until April 1, 2009.

Bangor, ME – January 30, 2009 – The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking project proposals from potential partners through the Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP), established in the new farm bill to promote ground and surface water conservation and water quality improvement on agricultural lands such as cropland, pasture and grassland. The deadline for proposals is March 2, 2009.

The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, or 2008 Farm Bill, established AWEP as a component of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), USDA’s largest conservation program on working agricultural lands. All EQIP requirements and policies will apply to AWEP.

USDA-NRCS administers EQIP, a voluntary conservation program that provides technical assistance and payments to help crop and livestock producers address environmental concerns through conservation improvements on agricultural and non-industrial private forest lands. Farmers and ranchers can use EQIP to farm in an environmentally friendly manner and still meet their agricultural production goals. In addition, it is designed to produce significant environmental benefits to the public, such as improved soil, water and air quality, and enhanced wildlife habitat.

Under this new program, agricultural water enhancement activities include: water quality or water conservation plan development; water conservation restoration or enhancement projects; water quality or quantity restoration or enhancement projects; irrigation system improvement or irrigation efficiency enhancement; and activities designed to reduce drought’s impacts.

Through AWEP, USDA-NRCS can contract directly with agricultural producers who are included in approved partner proposals. Eligible partners include federally-recognized tribes, states, units of local government, or agricultural or silvicultural associations. Producers who apply for AWEP assistance must meet EQIP eligibility requirements. All AWEP funding must go to producers. Like EQIP, contract terms for producers under AWEP run from 1 year to 10 years.

AWEP Request for Proposals

National AWEP Web Site
   

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