USDA-NRCS Announces Additional Financial Assistance Available Under the Groundwater Recharge and Sustainability Project | Natural Resources Conservation Service
USDA-NRCS Announces Additional Financial Assistance Available Under the Groundwater Recharge and ... Oregon Natural Resources Conservation Service
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SALINA, KANSAS, Friday, May 3, 2024
Producers in Greeley and Wichita Counties Eligible for Groundwater Recharge and Sustainability Project (GRASP) Funding
The State Conservationist for Kansas, David S. Doctorian, has announced that producers in Greeley and Wichita Counties in Kansas are eligible to receive financial assistance under the Groundwater Recharge and Sustainability Project (GRASP). This project, funded by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), aims to address declining aquifer levels by implementing voluntary irrigation conservation and efficiency practices and restoring playas to increase groundwater recharge. The ACT NOW funding process will be utilized for RCPP-GRASP this fiscal year.
Financial and technical assistance is available for managing and restoring playa wetlands. Through this program, annual rental payments are made for lands devoted to playa restoration activities.
Applications for RCPP-GRASP are accepted year-round. By following the ACT NOW funding process, applications can be preapproved for funding as soon as NRCS staff completes the application ranking and review. This will facilitate a quicker turn-around to enter into a contract for participants.
The final date to apply for this second round of FY 2024 funding will be Monday, July 1, 2024. Applications received prior to the deadline will be planned, assessed, ranked, submitted in the order received, and will be preapproved based on fund availability and if a ranking score above the threshold level has been met. The threshold score for this batching period will be zero points. Applications received after the deadline will be batched and considered in the next batching period.
The Act Now funding process allows applicants with high-ranking scores to avoid the long processing time typically associated with conservation programs. This enables interested and qualified applicants to begin implementing the needed conservation practices sooner and reduce the wait time. Applications that focus on playa conservation and restoration efforts near municipal and domestic water wells will receive ranking priority. Supporting recharge where it is needed most will result in water that can be used by generations.
GRASP is supported by a diverse group of partners including Greeley and Wichita County Conservation Districts, Kansas Association of Conservation Districts, Kansas Department of Agriculture, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Kansas Groundwater Management District #1, Kansas Water Office, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Playa Lakes Joint Venture, and Wildlife Conservation Society.
More information about the RCPP-GRASP project can be found on the Kansas RCPP webpage. Applications can be submitted at the Greeley or Wichita County USDA Service Centers.
To learn more about NRCS programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center. Producers can also apply for NRCS programs, manage conservation plans and contracts, and view and print conservation maps by logging into their farmers.gov account. If you don’t have an account, sign up today.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov.
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- SDG 15: Life on Land
The article discusses the Groundwater Recharge and Sustainability Project (GRASP), which aims to address declining aquifer levels and increase groundwater recharge. This aligns with SDG 6, which focuses on ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Additionally, the restoration of playas mentioned in the article contributes to SDG 15, which aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.
- Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.
The article mentions that the GRASP project aims to assist producers with implementing voluntary irrigation conservation and efficiency practices, which aligns with Target 6.4 of SDG 6. Additionally, the restoration of playas contributes to the conservation and restoration of wetlands, which is in line with Target 15.1 of SDG 15.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 6.4.1: Change in water-use efficiency over time.
- Indicator 15.1.1: Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas.
The article does not explicitly mention indicators, but the implementation of irrigation conservation and efficiency practices can be used to measure progress towards Indicator 6.4.1, which looks at the change in water-use efficiency over time. Additionally, the restoration of playas contributes to the coverage of protected wetland areas, which can be used to measure progress towards Indicator 15.1.1.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity. | Indicator 6.4.1: Change in water-use efficiency over time. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements. | Indicator 15.1.1: Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas. |
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Fuente: nrcs.usda.gov
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