An Alternative Conservation Programfor

Irrigated Agriculture

Arizona Department of Water Resources

Early ADWR studies - 1985-1993- Water duties based on irrigation history

- Uniform water duty by ASFCs

- Safe-yield water duty

- District-wide water duty

- Cropped-acres water allotment

- Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Historical Perspective

Ag Study Recommendations - 1996- District-wide groundwater reduction programs- Cropped-acres program

Historical Perspective

Pinal AMA Ag Workgroup - 1997- Historic Cropping Program- Cropped-acres Program

Passage of H.B. 2635 - 1998- Established first alternative conservation program - Set standards for additional alternative programs

Water Management Taskforce - 2000- Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Adhoc BMP Advisory Group - 2001- Identified BMP practices- Developed initial program concepts

Historical Perspective ADWR/Ag Sector Agreement - 2001

Passage of H.B. 2022 - 2002

- New irrigation efficiency for water duties

- Establish a BMP Program as an alternative- Create a BMP Program Advisory Committee

- Support acquisition of funding for BMP Program

- Ease restrictions on flex credit transfers

- Established a formula for water allotments

- Broadened ability to transfer flex credits

- Allowed for creation of a BMP Program in the TMP

Executive Order 2002-9- Established a BMP Program Advisory Committee

Best Management Practices

Program Program definition Purpose Program features Program eligibility Application process Program practices Program implementation Reporting requirements Program evaluation Program duration

Program Definition

The BMP Program is a practical, affordable approach to conserving water without sacrificing a farm’s productivity or long-term sustainability

Program Purpose

To provide an alternative conservation program that is designed to be more effective than the Base Agricultural Conservation Program

Program Features

Performance-based program A balance of physical and

management practices designed to increase water use efficiency

Menu driven BMPs facilitate a balance between physical and management improvements

Qualifying point system No water allotments No flex account provisions

Program Eligibility

Applicant must score a minimum point value

May enroll a single farm unit (multiple IGFRs) under a single BMP agreement

Owners or lessees may enroll May petition ADWR to enter the

BMP program if equivalency can be demonstrated

Application Process

Must submit a signed BMP Application form

including the necessary worksheets

Submit a farm plan map documenting physical

farm management improvements

If leased land, a signed affidavit from landowner

authorizing enrollment into BMP Program

Application Process

BMP Worksheet- Organized into 4 categories- Each category allows a maximum score of 3 points

- The applicant must score a minimum of 2 points in Category 2 to be accepted into the program

- A total point value of at least 10 must be scored on the Worksheet to enter the BMP Program

Categories of BMP Worksheet- Category 1: Water Conveyance Improvements- Category 2: Farm Irrigation Systems - Category 3: Irrigation Water Management- Category 4: Agronomic Management

Program Practices

Water Conveyance System Improvements

- Concrete-lined ditches, pipelines, gated-pipe, drain-back systems

Category 1

Program Practices

Farm Irrigation Systems

- Slope systems without uniform grades with tail-water reuse

- Uniform slope systems without tail-water reuse- Uniform slope systems with tail-water reuse

- Uniform slope within an irrigation district that captures and redistributes return flows- Modified slope systems- High pressure sprinkler systems- Near level systems- Level systems- Low pressure sprinkler systems- Trickle or drip irrigation systems

Category 2

Program Practices Irrigation Water Management (IWM)

- Laser touch-up

- Alternate row irrigation

- Furrow checks

- Angled rows

- Surge irrigation

- Temporary sprinklers

- Participation in IWM programs

- Using Irrigation Scheduling Services

- Participation with I.D. to increase flexibility of water deliveries

- Measure flow rates to determine amount of water applied

- Soil moisture monitoring

- Computer based model using meteorological data (AZMET)

Category 3

Program Practices

Agronomic Management

- Crop rotation

- Crop residue management

- Soil and/or water quality testing

- Pre-irrigation surface conditioning

Category 4

- Transplants

- Plastic mulch or floatable row covers

- Shaping furrows or beds

- Planting in bottom of furrow

Program Implementation

Work with the BMP Advisory Committee to finalize BMP Program elements

Incorporate the BMP Program in the TMP modification

BMP Program will be available to all right holders upon modification of the TMP Agricultural Chapter

Reporting Requirements

Annual Reports will need to be filed similar to the Base Program

May incorporate several IGFRs under a single BMP Program annual report

Requirement to annually document the implementation of specific best management practices on the enrolled farm or farm unit

An irrigation district may file on behalf of the BMP Program participant if the district delivers all water supplies to the farm or farm unit

Program Evaluation

The Department, working with the BMP Advisory Committee will:

Determine criteria and data needs for evaluating the BMP Program and practices, including impact on AMA goal and administrative burden

Evaluate existing program practices for effectiveness and new practices for Program inclusion

Over time, determine whether the BMP Program will achieve conservation savings equivalent to that of the Base Program

Program Duration

The Department will implement an interim BMP Program till the end of the Third Management Period

If proven to be equivalent to the Base Program the Department may implement the BMP Program in subsequent management periods

-Discussion-