Contact:
Sally Wier, Colorado Open Lands
719-480-8471
swier@coloradoopenlands.org

Alamosa, CO – Colorado Open Lands is announcing a funding opportunity through the Colorado Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) and their Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) for Aquifer Recovery. Producers within the project area of the Rio Grande Water Conservation District or the Trinchera Subdistrict, that are interested in implementing conservation projects on their private agricultural operation have until February 12, 2024, to submit an application to their local NRCS Field Office to be considered for this funding opportunity.

To be eligible for consideration for this funding opportunity, an agricultural producer must have updated farm records with the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and meet all program eligibility requirements.

The goal of this special funding opportunity is to support management transition for producers who are reducing their groundwater consumption through participation in a groundwater conservation easement or other voluntary program.  Specifically, this program offers payment for practices such as establishing cover crop or permanent vegetation cover or other practices that may be needed as a producer transitions their operation to less groundwater use.

Interested participants must meet the specific funding pool required criteria to be considered for funding in this funding cycle. To be considered in this FY2024 funding cycle, applications must be received in an NRCS office prior to the cut-off date of February 12, 2024.  There will be funding available in subsequent years, but it is never too early to begin planning!

To determine if your application is eligible for this select fund pool and for additional information about applications contact Sally Wier, Colorado Open Lands Groundwater RCPP Project Manager at 719-480-8471 or NRCS office staff at 719-672-3673.

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