USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Indiana announced it is accepting proposals to designate new priority watersheds for the Mississippi River Basin Initiative (MRBI) and National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) through July 28.
Known as “America’s River,” the Mississippi River is North America’s largest river, flowing over 2,300 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. The watershed not only provides drinking water, food, industrial opportunities and recreation for more than 18 million people, it also hosts a globally significant migratory flyway and is home to more than 325 bird species. Through MRBI, NRCS and its partners work with producers and landowners to implement voluntary conservation practices that improve water quality, restore wetlands, enhance wildlife habitat and sustain agricultural profitability in the Mississippi River Basin. New priority watershed proposals should address these resource concerns and align with state nutrient loss reduction strategies.
NWQI is a joint initiative between NRCS and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address agricultural sources of water pollution, specifically nutrients, sediment and pathogens in priority watersheds, with a special component for source water protection. This strategic approach leverages funds and provides streamlined assistance to help individual agricultural producers take needed actions in impaired watersheds. New priority watershed proposals can be located anywhere in Indiana and should address these resource concerns. In FY19, NWQI was expanded to include source water protection for ground and surface waters that may not face water pollution challenges that would otherwise make them eligible for NWQI.
“Indiana NRCS is proud to be involved in targeted small watershed efforts to improve and protect our water resources,” said Indiana NRCS Acting State Conservationist David Doctorian. “These new priority watersheds will allow landowners and farmers to receive conservation payments to work on the land in a sustainable way which provides cleaner water while keeping their land productive.”
New MRBI and NWQI watershed projects must first complete a watershed assessment plan to meet NRCS guidelines. This planning phase will provide time for watershed-level assessment, on-farm planning and outreach to support development of the multi-year implementation plan that will assist states with their nutrient loss reduction strategies or source water protection. Funding is available to complete the plan.
Source: usda.gov
Photo Credit: istock-Dorin_S
Categories: Indiana, Sustainable Agriculture