WaterSMART
Overview
NRCS’s EQIP WaterSMART Landscape Conservation Initiative (LCI) is a collaborative effort to target EQIP funds that is complimentary to the US Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) WaterSMART projects. This collaboration is a priority highlighted in the National Drought Resilience Partnership, a federal partnership to enhance the Nation’s drought resilience.
Reclamation operates in 17 western States and through WaterSMART works collaboratively with States, tribes, and local entities as they plan for and implement actions to increase water supply through investments to modernize existing infrastructure and otherwise build drought resilience.
NRCS can provide EQIP assistance to help farmers and ranchers voluntarily address water quantity resource concerns and agricultural drought stress. Aligning the agencies’ investments can improve their cumulative impact on water conservation.
In fiscal year 2021, the following eight priority areas have been identified in California to target WaterSMART funding. Contact your local service center or more information on applicable landuses, resource concerns, and conservation practices.
NRCS Priority Area
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Reclamation Project Title
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Buena Vista Water Storage District
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Northern Area Pipeline Southeast Extension Project
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North Kern Water Storage District
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Calloway Canal Lining
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Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water Storage District
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The Stockdale East Groundwater Recharge Project
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Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District
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Turnipseed Groundwater Bank Expansion Project
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Ivanhoe Irrigation District
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SCADA Water Flow Automation System
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Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District
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Packwood Creek Water Conservation Project
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Pixley Irrigation District
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Gravity Conveyance and Conservation Project;
Avenue 116 SCADA System
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Tulare Irrigation District
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Plum Basin Project, Phase 1&2;
Water Cons. & Reuse Pipeline Project
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Interested Applicants
For more information about EQIP, how to apply and program eligibility, interested applicants should contact a NRCS field office in the county which you own land or where you have an agricultural operation.
Visit https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/ to find the NRCS representative for your county.