The Saratoga Encampment Rawlins Conservation District (SERCD) employees as well as Jay Schug, project manager for Anderson Consulting Engineers, held an open house for the Upper Platte River Watershed Study (UPRWS) from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on May 12 at the USDA Service Center.
This event was intended for ranchers who own land within the Watershed Study area. Schug is responsible for creating the UPRWS. “What my study is doing is basically developing a Watershed Management plan for the area, it’s huge, but it’s pretty much the North Platte Watershed upstream of Seminoe Reservoir,” said Schug.
“When it’s done we will be providing the conservation district (SERCD) with this plan,” said Schug. “It’s essentially going to be a laundry list of project recommendations that could be implemented to improve water-use and opportunities. The types of projects could include everything from an irrigation head-gate replacement to a rancher who might want to develop a spring on their property and put it in a pipe to a stock tank to provide better watering opportunities and improve grazing management.”
According to Schug, one of the main benefits of the UPRWS is that it provides the public with the data needed to further pursue water-saving techniques for the public. In addition, state protocol has changed. “When it’s done [the watershed management plan], projects could be eligible for funding by some of the states programs. Small water project program that the state administers and one of the criteria for it is that one of these studies has to be done before projects within that geographic boundary is funded.”
Therefore, in cooperation with the SERCD—who fills the role as a sponsor—ranchers have the ability to receive grant funding for water conservation projects. “Now individuals can get funding from the state through the conservation district as their sponsor,” said Schug.
The next open house has been tentatively scheduled from 2-7 p.m., June 3, at the USDA Service Center.
If interested in the project and would like more information, contact SERCD at (307) 326-8156 or Schug at (970) 226-0120.
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