COST SHARE PROGRAMS

2025 Eastern Plains Water Conservation Infrastructure Improvement

Matching Grant Project Funding Available

 

The Yuma County Conservation District (YCCD) in Wray with the Yuma Conservation District (YCD) were recently awarded a $50,000 grant to fund rangeland improvement projects in partnership with funds from the Colorado Department of Agriculture through the Colorado State Conservation Board.  According to Tanya Fell, YCCD District Manager, “this grant project was written to assist producers with funding to install pipelines for livestock to areas without water, adding stock tanks or refurbishing tanks that include bird ladders, installing solar powered well pumps with storage tanks to replace traditional pumps, and the installation of tank monitoring devices.”

 

Applicants must be in good standing with both the FSA and NRCS. This project area is not receiving any additional funding through FSA, NRCS or other government grants.

 

Well tests and copies of permits will need to be provided  for all water related projects prior to beginning all work to verify wells will support the proposed project. Once the test confirms that the well is in good standing the size of the pipeline will need to be determined based on the production needs and the possibility of future expansion. 

 

For solar projects, a well test will determine the amount of water available.  This will in turn dictate the size of the pump and storage tanks needed and the number of cattle that can be used for rangeland grazing.  In the same category, the size and number of tanks needed must be assessed based on the number of head grazing and available water. If tanks do exist, are they in good shape or do they need to be refurbished or replaced.

 

All projects will be supervised by and completed to NRCS standards and specifications.  Projects must be completed by October 31, 2025, to allow adequate time for compliance inspections and photo documentation. 

The maximum funding amount for each grant is contingent upon the number of participants meeting the criteria to participate. Grants require matching funds amounting to 50% of the grant total. No activity will begin on projects until January 1, 2025, with project approval from YCCD and YCD and signed contracts are received.   The rangeland improvement project matching grant is non-competitive in nature.

 

For additional information please contact the Yuma County Conservation District in Wray at 970-332-3107 ext. 9002 or the Yuma Conservation District at 970-848-5605.  Applications and information are also available at www.ycconservation.com.   Applications are due to the YCCD office by January 3, 2025.

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Dripline Grants Offered for Windbreak Trees in the

Yuma County Conservation District

 

The Yuma County Conservation District, with funds from the Colorado Department of Agriculture through the Colorado State Conservation Board are offering a matching grant project.  This project will assist with windbreak tree dripline improvement projects specifically to help with natural resource conservation in the YCCD. 

 

Funds can be requested by landowners for materials needed to create or improve irrigation to windbreak trees that are currently being planted or have been planted within the past FIVE years. Water MUST be provided by the producer to the edge of the windbreak. The projects are to include the installation of dripline including the purchase of dripline, emitters, connectors, filters and other necessary supplies to water windbreak trees.  (NOTE: Landscape fabric is not included in this grant program.)  All materials must be purchased within the grant funding year after the application is approved. 

 

The maximum amount for each grant is $500. Grants require matching funds amounting to 50% of the grant total.   The windbreak tree dripline improvement matching grant project is non-competitive in nature. Matching grants are given on a first­ come, first-serve basis, with projects beginning the end of April and should be concluded by the end of November 2024.

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