Liz With, Assistant State Conservationist for Partnerships with the Colorado USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) explains what a "Water Management Entity" is and how this entity category can be used by eligible agricultural water delivery entites to implement water infrastructure improvement projects using funding from the USDA Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). A WME is a relatively new entity category that is eligible for funding through the NRCS EQIP program. The EQIP program provides funding for implementing agricultural conservation practices. A WME represents a way to get ditch-wide irrigation infrastructure improvement projects funded and implemented without each shareholder having to individually apply for and manage an EQIP contract. The WME serves as that umbrella entity that can apply for and manage the project on behalf of its shareholders. Qualifying irrigation companies and ditch consortiums may contract directly with USDA - NRCS to implement off-farm delivery system improvements using cost share funding from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
This webinar dives into what entities qualify for EQIP funding, and what information eligible entities must provide as part of the EQIP application process. Q & A at the end with the presenter and NRCS EQIP Program staff Kindra Brandner and Stacey Eskew.