Local Work Group Summary for Cuba
2013 Environmental Quality Incentive Program
Introduction:
The Cuba F.O. is located in Northwest New Mexico, approximately 60 miles NW of Albuquerque. The vast majority of the district is rangeland with an average elevation of 6000-8000 feet. Some minor farming involves hay land permanent pasture and irrigated cropland, the latter being found on Pueblo lands.
Local Work Group:
The Local Work Group Meeting was held on September 13, 2012 at the Cuba SWCD New Office. The Local Work Group had representation from: Cuba SWCD, NRCS Cuba Field Office, BLM, NMED, USFS Cuba and Coyote Ranger District, 1 local rancher, and 5 Acequia members. There was not tribal representation. The Zia Natural resource Manager spoke to me prior to the meeting and conveyed that the tribe will not be participating in the program this year due to lack of interest and motivation. However individual tribal members were encouraged to apply.
Priority Resource Concerns:
The LWG has identified the following resource concerns:
Private Range Lands:
-
Domestic Animals- Inadequate stock water
-
Water Quantity_ Insufficient flows in Water Courses
-
Plant condition - Noxious and invasive plants
-
Plant condition – Productivity Health and Vigor
Private Irrigated Lands:
-
Water Quantity_ Insufficient flows in Water Courses
-
Plant condition – Noxious & invasive plants
-
Water Quantity- Inefficient Water Use on irrigated land
Tribal Range lands:
-
Domestic Animals- Inadequate stock water
-
Domestic animals- Inadequate quantities and Quality of Feed and Forage
Tribal Irrigated Lands:
-
Water Quantity- Inefficient Water Use on irrigated land
Federal lands:
-
Water Quantity_ Insufficient flows in Water Courses
-
Domestic Animals- Inadequate stock water
-
Domestic animals- Inadequate quantities and Quality of Feed and Forage
Funding Considerations:
-
Rangelands with 33 percent,
-
Irrigated lands with 33 percent
-
Woodlands 34 percent
Note: If there are any leftover moneys from Range or irrigation then that money goes to woodlands first, then Range then irrigation. No cost caps on any practices for 2013.
Cost share Rate Factor:
The LWG accepted the 75 percent cost share rate for all practices in the payment schedule. (No change)
Ranking Criteria
Grazing Land Questions:
|
Points
|
1. If the applicant has woodland will they treat woodlands for thinning? ( 666, 383) |
50
|
2. Will the applicant develop a permanent adequate stock water source (642, & 516, & 614)? |
50
|
3. Will this treatment include practices that will address noxious weed species? |
50
|
4. Will this treatment include practices that will address invasive species? |
50
|
Wood Land Questions:
|
Points
|
1. Will the applicant treat woodlands for thinning? ( 666, 383) |
50
|
Irrigated Cropland Questions:
|
Points
|
1. Will this treatment include practices that will address water delivery efficiency? |
60
|
2. Will this treatment include practices that will address noxious weed species? |
50
|
3. Will this treatment include practices that will address invasive species? |
90
|
Tie Breaker: The criteria for the tie breaker in the Cuba Field Office will be tracking code assigned by protract. The highest number will be funded.
Watershed Initiative:
None recommended for this year.
Small Acreage Initiative:
None recommended for this year.