For immediate release: November 14, 2022

AUSTIN, Texas, November 14, 2022—Texas Water Trade, a Regional Conservation Partnership Program of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) award recipient, announced fiscal year 2023 assistance opportunities for irrigators in the Middle Pecos Groundwater District’s Management Zone 1 to enhance data collection though the installation of water meters in wells in that zone.

Water Wells and Meters
Many landowners who operate wells rely on self-reporting to inform the Middle Pecos Groundwater Conservation District (MPGCD) of their total use. To improve and enhance the quality and quantity of data collected in this regard, this program will allow well users in the management zone to have meters installed in those wells. This will help both users and the MPGCD understand water use and enable a deeper understanding of the system.

Eligibility
Water well operators in MZ1 are eligible to be considered for this project. NRCS policies and procedures governing participation in the Regional Conservation Partnership Program will apply to participate in TWT financial assistance programs, and applicants must be registered with their local Farm Services Agency (FSA) office. Applicants do not need to demonstrate compliance with Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) limitations, as a blanket AGI waiver has been granted for this project. Compliance with all other USDA conservation provisions remains enforced. TWT reserves the right to screen out applications that do not meet program objectives. Funding is limited, and TWT may choose not to recommend any applications for funding in any application period at its discretion.

Applying for Assistance
The MPGCD is soliciting applications for a funding opportunity to provide water well users in Management Zone 1 with installed meters in those wells. For application information please contact the MPGCD for further information. Applications are accepted anytime; with the first deadline for funding consideration of December 16, 2022. Successful applicants must register with the USDA-Farm Service Agency (FSA). MPGCD Contact Information: Ty Edwards, mpgcd@mpgcd.org, 432-336-0698

More information about Texas Water Trade can be found here: TexasWaterTrade.org.