NEWS

United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
9173 W. Barnes Dr., Suite C
Boise, Idaho 83709
 
For More Information:
Contact:  Ken Beckman, 208.624.3341 or
Dastina Johnson, 208.685.6978


Community project receives federal funding
Project Saves Water and Conserves Energy

Aston, ID, November 7, 2006—A massive cooperative conservation effort is underway near Ashton to save energy and water.  The Marysville Canal Company has gathered support from 41 landowners for a gravity pipeline project east of Ashton, Idaho.  Once complete, 6,100 acres of irrigated cropland will receive water through gravity pressurized pipelines, eliminating 16 miles of inefficient irrigation ditches.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is assisting with funding and technical guidance for the project.  “This community has proven they want to address energy issues and NRCS is committed to helping Idaho landowners find solutions for their natural resource concerns,” said NRCS State Conservationist Rich Sims.

District conservationist Ken Beckmann in St. Anthony, will oversee the project’s technical needs.  According to him, the project tackles two energy issues- water and power.  “Seepage rates from the canals are 50 percent or more. This project will save approximately 4,400 acre-feet of water each year.”  In addition, electrically-powered pumps scattered across the countryside will be virtually eliminated.  Beckmann estimates a 76 percent reduction of energy usage-- an approximate savings of 1600 megawatts of electricity. 

Marysville producers have looked for funding to help solve severe water shortages and high pump costs for as long as Canal company president, Jeff Jenkins can remember.  “Progress is what comes to mind when I think of why this is a good project,” said Jenkins.  “First of all, there’s the water savings, second-- the lower energy costs, third-- covering the ditches so we can square up the field to farm it, and top it all off with the 50 percent cost-share we’re getting from the government.  It’s what we needed to update our system.”

Canal company directors have gathered the support needed from landowners to apply for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), administered by NRCS.  Beckmann anticipates the project will cost $2.7 million.  Landowners agreed to foot half the bill based on their acreage involved.

This summer, the project competed on a national scale for funding.  The NRCS chief, in a special initiative, earmarked over $500,000 to the project.  Implementation of the project is expected to start next spring.

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