The goal of this initiative is to improve water quality in impaired watersheds located in eastern Nebraska. Interested participants have until May 1, 2023, to apply.
The watersheds eligible for the National Water Quality Initiative application signup are:
- Bazile Creek – located in Antelope, Pierce, and Knox counties
- Big Sandy – located in Thayer and Fillmore counties
- Turkey Creek – located primarily in Saline County
Lawson said, “USDA is committed to working hand-in-hand with farmers, ranchers, and landowners to address water quality issues and provide the tools necessary to ensure clean, safe water for communities and wildlife. This latest investment is yet another example of how voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs are benefitting both producers and our natural resources.”
The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy is working with the Natural Resources Districts in these watersheds through the Nonpoint Source Water Quality Grants-Section 319 Program. Including these watersheds in NRCS’s National Water Quality Initiative will strengthen the overall effort to improve ground and surface water quality in Nebraska.
The main water quality concerns in the NWQI areas include nitrate, atrazine, and E.Coli bacteria levels. There are many conservation practices available to address these concerns including cover crops, nutrient management, herbicide alternatives, and manure management practices to name just a few.
Lawson said, “Through this effort, eligible producers in these watersheds will invest in voluntary conservation practices to help provide cleaner water for their neighbors and communities.”
NRCS will provide funding and expertise to farmers and ranchers interested in installing conservation practices to improve water quality. NRCS staff will work directly with individual landowners to develop a conservation plan to apply practices that work best for their farming operation in each watershed.
Interested landowners and operators should check with their local NRCS office to see if their farm or ranch is in one of the targeted watersheds. Applications received for this initiative will be ran through NRCS’s ACT Now signup, and approved on a first come, first serve basis as long as a minimum application ranking threshold is met, and funds are available.
Interested landowners and operators should check with their local NRCS office to see if their farm or ranch is in one of the targeted watersheds.
Original source can be found here.
