National Water Quality Initiative

The National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) will work in priority watersheds to help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners improve water quality and aquatic habitats in impaired streams.

Through the NWQI, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering financial and technical assistance to farmers, ranchers and forest landowners interested in improving water quality and aquatic habitats in priority watersheds with impaired streams. NRCS will help producers implement conservation and management practices through a systems approach to control and trap nutrient and manure runoff. Qualified producers will receive assistance for installing conservation practices such as cover crops, filter trips and terraces. For over 75 years, NRCS has provided agricultural producers with assistance to implement voluntary conservation practices that protect natural resources while maintaining production and profits.

Wyoming
Priority Watershed

The Ocean Lake Watershed in Fremont County has been approved in Wyoming for the National Water Quality Initiative. This watershed is listed on the 303(d) list as impaired due to sediment/turbidity.

The reduction of sediment flow from flood irrigated cropland fields into Ocean Lake is the focus for this initiative. This will be accomplished by converting existing flood irrigation systems to sprinkler (center pivot or side-roll) irrigation systems.

The installation of a more efficient irrigation system and the implementation of an irrigation water management plan will result in proper application of water on these fields. These practices will result in a significant reduction in sediment flow from these fields into Ocean Lake.

Sprinkler systems with improved irrigation efficiency will reduce waste water flow from crop fields which in turn will reduce the soil erosion seen in the drains flowing into Ocean Lake. These drains are typically incised vertical banks, sparsely vegetated, unstable, earthen ditches. These drains are the main conveyance of water into Ocean Lake. Reducing water flow into these drains will help stabilize the ditches resulting in less sediment flow from the drain itself into Ocean Lake.

 Several partners will be involved in this initiative – Lower Wind Conservation District, WY Game and Fish, Midvale Irrigation District, WY Department of Environmental Quality, US Fish and Wildlife Service and WY Association of Conservation Districts.

Conservation Funding and Practices

NRCS conservation professionals will provide technical assistance and planning tools to determine which conservation actions will provide the best results to improve water quality on your land. Nutrient management systems, erosion control, conservation tillage, pest management, and buffers systems are just some of the practices being offered as part of the NWQI. To help install these conservation practices, financial assistance to share in the cost of these conservation practices is available though the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

Partnerships

NRCS identified priority watersheds through the help of local partnerships and state water quality agencies. Partners sometimes offer financial assistance in addition to NRCS programs. NRCS will continue to coordinate with local and state agencies, conservation districts, nongovernmental organizations and others to implement this initiative. This strategic approach will leverage funds and provide streamlined assistance to help individual agricultural producers take needed actions to reduce the flow of sediment, nutrients and other runoff into impaired waterways.

Producer Benefits

Water quality conservation practices benefit agricultural producers by lowering input costs and enhancing the productivity of working lands. Conservation investments are good for all Americans because well managed farms limit pollution from runoff, produce food and fiber, sustain rural economies, and provide food security to the Nation. All across the country—farmers, ranchers and forest landowners are voluntarily taking action and putting conservation on the ground to improve water quality on millions of acres!

Public Benefits

NRCS is proud to be involved in a nationwide effort with landowners and communities to improve and protect our water resources. The landowners and farmers participating in the initiative will receive conservation payments to work on the land in a sustainable way which provides cleaner water. In addition to the financial assistance, the land will remain productive into the future. Communities benefit by having clean waterways, safer drinking water and healthy habitat for fish and wildlife.

How to Apply

Almost every county in the Nation has a USDA Service Center. To get started, make an appointment at your local office. You will need to establish eligibility and farm records for your land. NRCS will help you complete an application while explaining which conservation practices are available in your watershed. Remember to check with your local NRCS office to see if you are located in a selected watershed. All applications for funding consideration, during fiscal year 2012, must be received by June 15, 2012.

State Contact:
Cheryl Grapes, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs, 307-233-6757
Mary Schrader, Resource Conservationist, 307-233-6762
 

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