National Water Quality Initiative
Through the National Water Quality Initiative in 2013, the Natural Resources Conservation Service will work with farmers and ranchers in 165 small watersheds throughout the Nation to improve water quality where this is a critical concern.
In 2013, NRCS will provide nearly $35 million in financial assistance to help farmers and ranchers implement conservation systems to reduce nitrogen, phosphorous, sediment and pathogen contributions from agricultural land. This is the second year of the initiative, and NRCS provided $34 million in 2012 to farmers and ranchers in the first year for the implementation of conservation systems.
NRCS worked closely with partners, including federal and state agencies, and Soil and Water Conservation Districts, to refine the eligible priority watersheds for 2013. These partners assisted in selecting one to 12 priority watersheds in every state where on-farm conservation investments will deliver the greatest water quality improvement benefits.
Eligible producers will receive assistance under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program for installing conservation systems that may include practices such as nutrient management, cover crops, conservation cropping systems, filter strips, terraces, and in some cases, edge-of-field water quality monitoring.
Conservation Funding and Practices
NRCS conservation professionals will provide technical assistance and planning tools to help farmers and ranchers determine which conservation actions will provide the best results to improve water quality on their 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 National Water Quality Initiative. To help install these conservation practices, NRCS will provide financial assistance payments to eligible producerst hrough 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 runoff of sediment, nutrients and pathogens into waterways where water quality is a critical concern.
Producer Benefits
Water quality-related 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 and ranchers are voluntarily taking action and putting conservation on the ground to improve water quality on millions of acres of working lands!
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/ranchers 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 or contact your State Conservationist.
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 2013, must be received by Friday, July 12, 2013.
Watersheds Eligible for the National Water Quality Initiative
|
State
|
Watershed
|
HUC
|
|
AK
|
Anchorage
|
01902040100
|
|
AK
|
Cottonwood Creek
|
01902040200
|
|
AL
|
Cox Mill Creek-Hurricane Creek
|
31402011004
|
|
AL
|
Upper Scarham Creek
|
60300010803
|
|
AR
|
Cousart Bayou-Little Cypress Bayou
|
80402050302
|
|
AR
|
Upper Deep Bayou
|
80402050303
|
|
AR
|
Lower Deep Bayou
|
80402050304
|
|
AZ
|
Coyote Creek (10-digit HUC)
|
01502000103
|
|
AZ
|
Road Tank - San Pedro River
|
150502020705
|
|
AZ
|
Spring Creek - San Pedro River
|
150502020401
|
|
AZ
|
Lower Greenbush draw- San Pedro River
|
150502020203
|
|
CA
|
Las Posas Arroyo
|
180701030103
|
|
CA
|
Beardsley Wash
|
180701030106
|
|
CA
|
Salt River
|
180101051101
|
|
CA
|
Revolon Slough-Calleguas Creek
|
180701030107
|
|
CA
|
Mugu Lagoon
|
180701030201
|
|
CO
|
City of Fort Collins-Cache La Poudre River
|
101900070805
|
|
CO
|
Headwaters Grape Creek (10-digit HUC)
|
1102000112
|
|
CO
|
Fruit Growers Reservoir-Gunnison River
|
140200050105
|
|
CT
|
Little River
|
011000010401
|
|
DE
|
Clear Brook-Nanticoke River
|
020801090404
|
|
FL
|
North Deep Creek-St. Johns River
|
030801030703
|
|
FL
|
Clarks Creek
|
030801030804
|
|
FL
|
Little Scurlock Creek
|
031402030704
|
|
GA
|
Upper Piscola Creek
|
031102030701
|
|
GA
|
Lower Deep Creek
|
031102020205
|
|
GA
|
Middle Piscola Creek
|
031102030702
|
|
GA
|
Lower Piscola Creek
|
031102030703
|
|
IA
|
Lost Branch-Chariton River
|
102802010207
|
|
IA
|
Wall Lake Inlet
|
071000060401
|
|
IA
|
Badger Creek
|
071000080402
|
|
IA
|
Lower South Fork Chariton River
|
102802010108
|
|
ID
|
Lower Sand Hollow Creek
|
170501140704
|
|
ID
|
Dixie Slough
|
170501140802
|
|
ID
|
Outlet Boise River
|
170501140803
|
|
IL
|
Lake De Revey-North Fork Vermilion River
|
051201090804
|
|
IL
|
Painter Creek-North Fork Vermilion River
|
051201090805
|
|
IL
|
Crooked Creek-Bonpas Creek
|
051201130403
|
|
IL
|
Douglas Creek
|
071402040603
|
|
IL
|
Lake Vermillion-North Fork Vermilion River
|
051201090806
|
|
IN
|
Silver Creek
|
051201040501
|
|
IN
|
Eagle Creek Reservoir-Eagle Creek
|
051202011108
|
|
IN
|
Ell Creek
|
051202090405
|
|
KS
|
Town of Munjor-Big Creek
|
102600070305
|
|
KS
|
Headwaters Grasshopper Creek
|
102701030202
|
|
KS
|
City of Heston-West Emma Creek
|
110300120402
|
|
KY
|
Bennettstown-Little River
|
051302050505
|
|
KY
|
Headwaters Hinkston Creek
|
051001020302
|
|
KY
|
Clarks Run
|
051002050505
|
|
LA
|
Lake Louis-Bayou Louis
|
080402070303
|
|
LA
|
East Fork Big Creek
|
080702050202
|
|
LA
|
Big Creek
|
080702050203
|
|
LA
|
Indian Bayou-Bayou Queue De Tortue
|
080802020101
|
|
MA
|
Palmer River
|
010900040701
|
|
MD
|
Upper Catoctin Creek
|
020700080101
|
|
MD
|
Middle Catoctin Creek
|
020700080102
|
|
MD
|
Lower Catoctin Creek
|
020700080103
|
|
ME
|
Nickerson Lake-Meduxnekeag River
|
010100050403
|
|
ME
|
Sebasticook Lake
|
010300031806
|
|
MI
|
Pigeon Creek-Kalamazoo River
|
040500030408
|
|
MI
|
Hayworth Creek
|
040500050503
|
|
MN
|
Gilchrist Lake-East Branch Chippewa River
|
070200050603
|
|
MN
|
Big Twin Lake-Elm Creek
|
070200090903
|
|
MN
|
Sevenmile Creek
|
070200071103
|
|
MO
|
Upper Troublesome Creek
|
071100030202
|
|
MO
|
Lower Little Medicine Creek
|
102801030103
|
|
MO
|
Kyle Creek-North Fork Spring River
|
110702070306
|
|
MS
|
Ashlog Creek-Pelahatchie Creek
|
031800020302
|
|
MS
|
North Tippah Creek-Tippah River
|
080302010502
|
|
MS
|
Big Sunflower River
|
080302070500
|
|
MT
|
Lower Big Pipestone Creek
|
100200050204
|
|
MT
|
Jefferson Slough
|
100200050503
|
|
NC
|
Snow Creek
|
030401010503
|
|
NC
|
Little Fisher River
|
030401010703
|
|
ND
|
Upper Goodman Creek
|
101302010905
|
|
ND
|
Lower Goodman Creek
|
101302010907
|
|
ND
|
Beaver Creek
|
101600030403
|
|
ND
|
Moon Lake
|
101600030502
|
|
NE
|
Holmes Creek
|
102002030301
|
|
NE
|
Cottonwood Creek
|
102002030701
|
|
NE
|
Upper Cub Creek
|
102702020302
|
|
NE
|
Outlet Big Indian Creek
|
102702020506
|
|
NH
|
Lamprey River
|
010600030709
|
|
NH
|
Squamscott River
|
010600030806
|
|
NH
|
Oyster River
|
010600030902
|
|
NJ
|
Upper Salem River
|
020402060102
|
|
NJ
|
Upper Alloway Creek
|
020402060201
|
|
NJ
|
Upper Cohansey River
|
020402060301
|
|
NM
|
Mossman Arroyo
|
130301020801
|
|
NM
|
Anthony Wash-Rio Grande
|
130301020803
|
|
NM
|
Arroyo Pecos-Gallinas River
|
130600010805
|
|
NV
|
Sheckler Reservoir
|
160502030301
|
|
NV
|
South Branch-Carson River
|
160502030306
|
|
NV
|
Stillwater Marsh
|
160502030400
|
|
NV
|
Soda Lake-Carson River
|
160502030900
|
|
NY
|
Wing Creek-Prendergast Creek
|
050100020203
|
|
NY
|
Goose Creek
|
050100020205
|
|
NY
|
Big Inlet-Chautauqua Lake
|
050100020202
|
|
OH
|
Brandywine Creek-Broken Sword Creek
|
041000110301
|
|
OH
|
Fivemile Creek-East Fork Little Miami River
|
050902021102
|
|
OH
|
East Branch South Fork Sugar Creek
|
050400011002
|
|
OK
|
Upper Camp Creek
|
110600060505
|
|
OK
|
Sand Creek
|
110500020408
|
|
OK
|
Turkey Creek
|
110500020409
|
|
OK
|
Oak Creek-Black Bear Creek
|
110600060502
|
|
OK
|
Panther Creek-Black Bear Creek
|
110600060503
|
|
OR
|
Upper Fifteenmile Creek
|
170701050302
|
|
OR
|
Poison Creek-Willow Creek
|
170501190404
|
|
OR
|
Little Willow Creek-Willow Creek
|
170501190601
|
|
OR
|
Brandy Creek-Pudding River
|
170900090204
|
|
PA
|
Sacony Creek
|
020402030304
|
|
PA
|
Upper Maiden Creek
|
020402030305
|
|
PA
|
Upper Kishacoquillas Creek
|
020503040701
|
|
PI
|
Puumakaala
|
200100000501
|
|
PI
|
Olaa Forest
|
200100000502
|
|
PI
|
Puna Forest Reserve
|
200100000503
|
|
PI
|
Kapue Stream
|
200100000305
|
|
PI
|
Waiaama Gulch
|
200100000401
|
|
PI
|
Waipahoehoe Gulch
|
200100000402
|
|
PI
|
Wailuku River
|
200100000403
|
|
PI
|
Honolii Stream
|
200100000404
|
|
PI
|
Waiakea Stream
|
200100000407
|
|
PR
|
Rio Grande de Anasco Watershed (10-digit HUC)
|
2101000302
|
|
RI
|
Upper East Passage
|
010900040907
|
|
RI
|
Sakonnet River
|
010900040910
|
|
RI
|
Tomaquag Brook-Pawcatuck River
|
010900050205
|
|
SC
|
Chinquapin Creek
|
030502030101
|
|
SC
|
Big Swamp
|
030402020703
|
|
SC
|
Upper Little Saluda River
|
030501091104
|
|
SC
|
Polk Swamp
|
030502060203
|
|
SD
|
Buffalo Creek
|
101702030802
|
|
SD
|
Colton Creek
|
101702031002
|
|
SD
|
Jensen Creek-Skunk Creek
|
101702031003
|
|
SD
|
Willow Creek-Skunk Creek
|
101702031103
|
|
TN
|
Fall Creek
|
060400020306
|
|
TN
|
Clover Creek
|
080102020306
|
|
TN
|
Holly Fork Creek
|
060102040504
|
|
TX
|
Walkers Creek-Big Cypress Creek
|
111403050303
|
|
TX
|
Little Boggy Creek-Boggy Creek
|
111403050305
|
|
TX
|
Whitmore Branch-Boggy Creek
|
111403050306
|
|
TX
|
Kitchen Branch-Prairie Creek
|
111403050307
|
|
TX
|
West Greasy Creek
|
111403050308
|
|
TX
|
Greathouse Branch-Chambers Creek
|
120301090201
|
|
TX
|
Baker Branch-Chambers Creek
|
120301090202
|
|
TX
|
Houston Creek-Chambers Creek
|
120301090203
|
|
TX
|
Lower Mill Creek
|
120301090206
|
|
TX
|
Cryer Creek-Chambers Creek
|
120301090207
|
|
TX
|
Oak Branch-Chambers Creek
|
120301090402
|
|
TX
|
Tupelo Branch-Chambers Creek
|
120301090403
|
|
UT
|
Benson Draw-Duchesne River
|
140600030402
|
|
UT
|
Rocky Point-Duchesne River
|
140600030406
|
|
UT
|
Lower Main Creek
|
160202030404
|
|
VA
|
Mountain Run-Smith Creek
|
020700060202
|
|
VA
|
Fifteenmile Creek
|
060101020401
|
|
VA
|
War Branch-Smith Creek
|
020700060203
|
|
VT
|
Rock River
|
041504081101
|
|
WA
|
Fishtrap Creek
|
171100040502
|
|
WA
|
Wiser Lake Creek-Nooksack River
|
171100040503
|
|
WI
|
Pigeon Lake-Pigeon River
|
040302021103
|
|
WI
|
Horse Lake-Horse Creek
|
070300050804
|
|
WI
|
Big Green Lake
|
040302010902
|
|
WV
|
Douthat Creek
|
050500030201
|
|
WV
|
Headwaters Knapp Creek
|
050500030202
|
|
WV
|
Outlet Knapp Creek
|
050500030203
|
|
WY
|
Enright Reservoir-Fifteenmile Creek
|
100800071001
|
