Conservation and Efficient Use of Water (Guadalupe County)

Funding for the Rio Grande Basin Initiative was secured for the 2010-2011 fiscal year. Currently there are 12 Research and Extension Projects along with several County Projects. Evaluation, outcomes and deliverables for this project will be outlined in the 2009-2010 Progress Report, which is prepared annually by TAMU and NMSU. This report is located on the RGBI NMSU website (http://aces.nmsu.edu/rgbi).

Funding for the Rio Grande Basin Initiative was secured for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. Currently there are 12 Research and Extension Projects along with 8 County Projects. Evaluation, outcomes and deliverables for this project are outlined in the 2008-2009 Progress Report, which is prepared annually by TAMU and NMSU. This report is located on the RGBI NMSU website (http://aces.nmsu.edu/rgbi).

In Guadalupe county we have recently formed the Pecos Watershed Conservation Coalition This newly formed group is a clear demonstration on the type of thinking that is critcal for future improvement neccessary to insure that water conservation continues to be in the fore front of every ones mind. The 38 Pintada producers that make up this group want every one to know that what we do now for the future of their children will pay dividends in the years ahead . The Don Thompson ranch held a summer tour of thier ranch to show what has been done to remove brush species and to put in short term annual agronomic crops for the cover of bare ground . With rains coming at the correct time they were able to grow several types of short and long term crops, such a oats sorghum sudan and alfalfa . These crops help to cover the ground and to help stop wind erosion as well as help to develop a root system for intake storage of nutrients. The other plant species such as alafalfa will help in the development of nitrogen for grass growth. Of course new managenment ideas will have to be implimented to insure crop and animal survival . The Pintada Watershed Conservation Coalition will be applying for 150,000 in NRCS funding for future years. Also because they organized this group. The state NRCS has determined that more funding could come thier way. Because of their organization status and the way credit is allocated to organizations on a state wide basis .

Evaluation, outcomes, and deliverables for the RGBI project are outlined in the 2007-2008 Progress Report, which is prepared annually by Texas A&M and New Mexico State University. The 2007-2008 Progress and Accomplishment Report is available on the Texas A&M web site at http://riogrande.tamu.edu. The 2008-2009 funding for this project started July, 2008, with 13 new Research and Extension projects. Additionally funding is available to Counties in the Rio Grande Basin. For a listing of new projects visit the RGBI website at http://riogrande.nmsu.edu

Water conservation continues to be a very needed program for Guadalupe county . With the local youth as volunteers we were able to provide hoop house construction and water conservation. 39 youth from Santa Rosa and 12 youth from Anton Chico learned about drip irrigation and black mat water retention as well as developing humid condition for growing of vegetables and flowers. These youth gained skills in conservation and construction and wise use of our water resources.