NRCS holds second sign-up period for salinity control program

Special to the Daily Press

MONTROSE - The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is holding a second sign-up in the Delta, Montrose and Cortez Field Offices in Colorado for the 2007 Colorado River Salinity Control Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The application period for this second sign-up period will be March 1 through March 30. Only areas in the Lower Gunnison, Mancos Valley, and McElmo Creek are affected.

NRCS provides financial cost-share assistance to agriculture producers who voluntarily implement land management and irrigation practices that reduce salt loading. Agriculture producers participating in these efforts are provided incentive payments but are required to contribute at least 25 percent of the cost of the measures installed to reduce salt loading.

NRCS also provides technical assistance to producers to plan, design, and install more efficient irrigation systems and to implement other land management practices.

The Colorado River is the primary source of domestic water supply for some 27 million people in the seven Colorado River Basin states: Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah. Applications must meet all eligibility requirements. Landowners are strongly encouraged to participate in this program while funding is still available under the existing Farm Bill.

Landowners who are interested in applying may visit their local USDA Service Center or visit the Colorado NRCS Web site at www.co.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip.html.