The National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), as part of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is launching a flood irrigation pilot program. This comes after the NRCS recognized groundwater depletion as a significant resource concern, resulting in the California NRCS developing two interim practice standards for groundwater recharge.

This new groundwater recharge program is under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to evaluate the following Interim Conservation Practice Standards:

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• Groundwater Recharge Basin or Trench (code 815) 

• On-Farm Recharge (code 817) 

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Once the application is submitted, applicants will work with NRCS conservationists to develop a conservation plan, including the interim recharge practices and any needed supporting practices.  

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NRCS staff will rank conservation plans according to the ranking questions. The highest-scoring projects will be announced after July 1 and selected for funding in the pilot program. 

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Applications are due at the Fresno field office by Apr 3, 2023. Contact the Fresno Service Center at (559) 276-7494 for
further information.

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Apply now:

• Form 1200 

• Form 1200 Continuation Page

• Instructions

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FID is one of five irrigation districts to be involved in this pilot project. FID is committed to furthering the path to sustainability, is thrilled to announce this opportunity for its landowners, and strongly encourages members of our district to apply. 

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To learn more about the pilot, review the documents below and watch the recording of the March 21 webinar.