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NRCS, White River Irrigation District Announce $1.38 million to Improve Water Quality in Arkansas



NRCS, White River Irrigation District Announce $1.38 million to Improve Water Quality in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK, ARK., July 30, 2009 -- U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service State Conservationist Kalven L. Trice today announced the availability of $1.38 million for water conservation and water quality improvements on agricultural working lands in portions of Arkansas.

The funding will be used to install fuel and water monitoring equipment on an estimated 300 wells or re-lifts in Arkansas, Prairie and Lonoke counties and portions of Jefferson and Monroe counties.

"We continue to emphasize water conservation and utilize every program available to us in solving our critical resource problems.  This program is just another tool in our conservation tool box.  NRCS is looking forward to working with Arkansas farmers and other interests in implementing this program," said Trice.

AWEP promotes ground and surface water conservation and improves water quality by helping farmers and ranchers implement agricultural water enhancement activities. NRCS has agreed to partner with the White River Irrigation District in implementing this program which allows the Federal Government to leverage investment in natural resources conservation.

"We will install devices on farmer's wells and re-lifts to measure the fuel usage, the water pumped, and the engine status.  The information can be used to fine tune the pumping and reduce pumping costs by 10 percent or more in most cases," says Dennis Carman, chief engineer and director for the White River Irrigation District. "These five counties are experiencing critical groundwater declines."

This project competed nationally with numerous other projects and was the only project funded in Arkansas through the Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP).  The funding was made available for 63 projects in 21 states.

Interested individuals should contact their local USDA NRCS office or call the White River Irrigation District office (870-255-2202) located in Hazen, Ark., for additional information.

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