Basin States Parallel Program The valley where Shavano Conservation District is located has been designated as a Salinity Control area. USDA Farm Bill designates funds to specifically address the salinity issue through improving efficiency in irrigation systems reducing the amount of salts entering the Colorado River. In addition to program funds, this District receives funding that the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) allocates to work in conjunction with the EQIP program. The Lower Basin States Parallel Program provides funding for cost-share for irrigation practices and technical assistance positions to work alongside NRCS personnel with the two conservation programs. The Basin States Parallel Program offers financial assistance of up to 75% to landowners in order to improve the efficiency of irrigation systems on their land in western Colorado. It is estimated that over 1,000,000 tons of salt were entering the Colorado River each year from designated salinity areas in Colorado prior to 1978. By implementing the program, rural landowners can help to reduce the amount of salt entering the Colorado River. Please contact the Shavano District office for additional information on this program.
Drip Irrigation
Drip irrigation is also utilized in this valley. Drip system reduces water usage, evaporation loss, soil erosion due to no furrow irrigation, less deep percolation and leaching of salts. The District has a drip system and tape layer that is available to area producers at a low cost rental rate.
Natural Resources Conservation Matching Grants
Provides funds for conservation districts to address on-the-ground conservation problems identified at the local level. Funds are appropriated annually through the Colorado State legislature and districts apply through the Colorado State Conservation Board (CSCB) to fund an important conservation project or program in their community. The district must provide a dollar-for-dollar match from local, private or federal cash or in-kind sources for program awards.open to all Colorado Conservation Districts to help them implement private lands on-the-ground conservation projects
• program provides 50% state funds towards the costs of such projects
• the district and their partners provide the other 50% of funding
The grant is competitive and a committee of government and private conservation experts rank the applications based on
• conservation impact
• feasibility
• district involvement
Irrigation Water Management
The Shavano Conservation District employs a full-time Irrigation Water Management (IWM) Specialist. Funding for this position and two other Basin technician positions are made available through the Basin States Parallel Program. The IWM Specialist provides on-farm technical support to landowners on their irrigation systems and will review proper irrigation technique. Soil moisture data loggers are available to rent through the District per growing season.