FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 6, 2009
For More Information Contact: Paige Buck, State Public Affairs Specialist, (217) 353.6606
                                                  Mark Jacob, District Conservationist, Mason County (309) 543.6075 ext. 3

Illinois Irrigation Systems Need A Tune-Up?

USDA announced Thursday that nearly $58 million is available for water conservation and water quality improvements on agricultural working lands. Funding supplies 63 projects in 21 states through USDA’s Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP). According to Bill Gradle, State Conservationist for Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Illinois’ AWEP venture will bring nearly $50,000 for the first year of a project that targets irrigation system improvements in Central Illinois.

There are few Illinois soils that require irrigation. Most require drainage. But Illinois is indeed home to a number of soils that do and a number of landowners who face the challenge irrigation presents. Center pivot irrigation systems are found everywhere in states like Nebraska; they can also be seen in a few central Illinois counties—Mason, Tazewell, Logan, Menard, and Cass. In spots like these, producers and crops rely heavily on irrigation water and irrigation systems.

Illinois’ AWEP project is made possible by an agreement coordinated with Mason County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), Illinois NRCS, and private landowners with irrigation operations in need of updates or improvements. According to IL NRCS Water Quality Specialist Don Pitts, “What is critical to proper IWM is: uniform application of water, and proper timing and amount of water applied.”

Research indicates irrigation systems in the project area are older, high-powered systems. They are operational but not all are performing as efficiently or cost-effectively as they could. In order to sign up for this program, interested applicants must complete a screening questionnaire that will guide the process, assess current conditions, and identify operational weaknesses and needs.

AWEP uses both state and national ranking priorities to select program participants. Those selected will participate in up to a five-year program period that was budgeted more than $500,000 in order to positively impact nearly 14,000 irrigated acres in Illinois.

NRCS and Mason County SWCD staff will visit sites, perform irrigation field evaluations to check uniformity and application rates and determine which participants require technical and financial assistance to upgrade and improve existing equipment.

According to Pitts, “Through NRCS’ Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) producers can receive hands-on guidance and financial assistance to cover irrigation update expenses. In addition, all selected participants will receive an Irrigation Water Management plan.”

“We anticipate that some systems will require new sprinkler packages, some high pressure systems will be reset to reduce horsepower, and others will add a ‘gun booster pump’” Pitts adds. All these options reduce energy costs, save water, and improve water uniformity application. Eventually, Illinois AWEP project will achieve several environmentally significant goals:

• Reduce non-point source pollution
• Reduce water usage and conserve energy
• Reduce emissions that impair air quality
• Reduce soil erosion and sedimentation
• Support needs and health of at-risk species, pollinators, and other wildlife populations

To learn more about this project or the AWEP, visit www.il.nrcs.usda.gov

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