|
|
Markey, Bennet announce settlement of Republican River CREP agreementColorado Congresswoman Betsy Markey and Senator Michael Bennet welcomed an announcement Oct. 26 that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will allow more Colorado farmers and ranchers to participate in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program by increasing project enrollment from 35,000 to 70,000 acres, adding parts of Washington and Lincoln Counties, and consolidating and simplifying the payments made by the state. "This is great news for farmers and ranchers on the Great Plains of Colorado," said Rep. Markey. "I and the delegation have worked tirelessly to secure this agreement. USDA's decision will allow even more farmers and ranchers to participate in CREP and to achieve their water conservation goals. The CREP agreement in the Republican River Basin is another great example of how successful the program has become." Dennis Coryell, President of the Republican River Water Conservancy District, said, "This is a huge win for farmers and ranchers in Eastern Colorado. It will allow those farmers in Lincoln and Washington Counties to finally be eligible for the CREP program. Congresswoman Markey was instrumental in making this happen, and I cannot thank her enough for her hard work on this agreement. " "This is great news for Eastern Colorado's farmers and ranchers. This decision will safeguard ground and surface water and protect our wildlife and natural resources while ensuring our state can meets its water-delivery obligations," Bennet said. "Congresswoman Markey and the rest of the delegation worked hard for this win and we will continue to push to make sure we are helping Colorado's farmers and ranchers." The Republican River Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program is a program through the Farm Services Agency in which a water right is permanently retired and the land must be put into a grass habitat for 15 years and treated much like CRP ground. After the end of that 15-year period, the land may be used for grazing or dry land farming, but the well will have been retired. The retirement of irrigated acreage in the Target Zone will achieve the same goals listed in the original Republican River CREP Agreement and the goals as stated in the proposed Amendment, specifically reducing irrigation water use, reducing soil erosion and pesticide use, and providing a mechanism for farmers and ranchers to assist in meeting State and local water quantity and water quality requirements. While the voluntary conveyance and dedication of ground water rights of participants who irrigate enrolled acres within the Target Zone to the RRWCD-WAE may assist the State of Colorado to comply with the Republican River Compact, it is also intended and will increase stream flows to enhance downstream habitat.
Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2011. High Plains Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com |
|
