Noticias de las Acequias February 2011

Noticias de las Acequias

New Mexico Acequia Association

February 2011

In This Issue

Update on USDA Programs

Legislative Update

USDA Deregulates GE Alfalfa

Legislative Training by NMAA

Update on USDA Programs

by Patrick Jaramillo

Many of you may have seen this information in other places, and though it may not be specific to acequias, many in our community have been affected and we want to make sure that those who are in need of this information receives it.

If you are a livestock producer or farmer and have experienced a loss due to the natural gas outage in Rio Arriba county, please call the USDA Albuquerque office for information on how to process your claim at 505.767.4950.

Water systems in communities comprised of a population of 10,000 or fewer can apply for USDA's Emergency Community Water Assistance grants. Communities with populations of 20,000 or fewer can apply for USDA loans and grants to repair community infrastructure through the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities program. This includes community buildings, medical facilities, emergency equipment, and roads.

Here is a list of important upcoming deadlines:

March 4th - EQIP Organic Initiative and EQIP Local Food Initiative. Both initiatives are part of the conservation cost-share program EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program) administered by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). EQIP is a program that provides technical assistance to help correct conservation issues on your land and can provide a cost share contract that will help you pay for implementing conservation practices on your land, including irrigation improvements, high tunnels (greenhouses), land leveling, and many other practices. The Organic Initiative is geared toward helping those farmers who are certified organic, in the process of becoming certified, or would like to become certified. The Local Food Initiative is available for farmers who provide food for markets, including farmers' markets or as part of a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).

March 15th - NAP coverage deadline. Covers beans, dry peas, corn, potatoes, squash, sunflowers, and tomatoes.

April 15th - NAP coverage for basil, beets, broccoli, cantaloupe, cauliflower, cilantro, eggplant, gourds, honeydew, okra, pumpkins, strawberries, turnips, and watermelon.

July 29th - SURE Program (Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments). You can file a claim for 2009 crop loss under the SURE Program. The FSA (Farm Service Agency) will accept applications until July 29th.

The above programs and available to you through your local USDA field offices. These programs are designed to help increase production, profitability, sustainability, and to maximize and protect our resources. To become eligible for any of these programs, you must have a farm record filed with your local FSA office. You can start a farm record at any time, however, the deadline to certify your crops for this year is July 15th.

Legislative Update

by Quita Ortiz

NMAA leadership at the Roundhouse in support of House Bills 46 and 117. (Photo by Janice Varela)

During the current legislative session, the New Mexico Acequia Association has been tracking several bills and NMAA leadership has spent some time attending hearings at the Roundhouse. Here's a recap of recent happenings:

DFA Acequia Education Funding, a line item that was created for acequia community education and technical assistance was cut completely in January. When the NMAA learned that the Legislative Finance Committee staff recommended the 100% cut, we quickly mobilized acequia leaders to have a presence at the Roundhouse contending the proposed budget cut, and for the time being we were able to partially restore the funding. On February 16th, the House Appropriations and Finance Committee are meeting to finalize the bill before approving it for final passage on the House.

Farmer Liability for Certain Products - House Bill 46 protects a farmer from liability if a genetically engineered product is found in the farmer's possession. If an agriculture producer does not have a use agreement with the GE manufacturer, that farmer can be sued if a GE product is found on his or her property, even if it's unintentional; for example, through cross pollination. The bill was introduced in the House Agriculture and Water Resources Committee (HAGC) on February 4th by Representative Paul Bandy and Senator Steve Fleishman (Senate Bill 384). These bills have garnered broad community support, evidenced by advocates of this legislation filling the committee room during the introduction of HB 46 and its subsequent hearings. However, there's strong opposition from the biotech industry. Lobbyists for those in opposition argued that the bill infringes on federal patent law and denoted that the language "unintentional contamination" will pave the way for farmers who DO want to easily get a hold of GE products. The opposing parties argued that these farmers could potentially avoid a lawsuit by claiming that their possession of such products was unintentional. HB 41 passed the HAGC without recommendation and is being heard in the House Judiciary Committee on February 16th. On February 15th, SB 384 was heard in the Senate Conservation Committee; the bill was tabled.

South Valley Acequia Legislation - House Bill 117 clarifies the powers of certain Conservation Districts over acequias and community ditches. Acequias in the Middle Rio Grande are in the process of reorganizing, and their status and powers have been compromised as a result of being under the umbrella of the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District. The MRGCD maintains only parts of the irrigation works, leaving many without access to efficiently distribute water and there is hope in the region to resolve this by reorganizing as acequias. The bill was introduced on February 4th in the HAGC by Representative Miguel P. Garcia, and after substantial discussion and debate among opponents and supporters, the bill was tabled.

The New Mexico Acequia Commission was retained in the Government Restructuring Bill, but the commission's funding was reduced by more than 50%. The NMAC was created in 1987 to offer recommendations to the governor, Interstate Stream Commission, and the and U.S. Army Corp of Engineers regarding acequia rehabilitation with respect to federal funding. In 1993, the commission was established by state statute and was responsible for moderating communication between local acequias and state and federal governments.

USDA Deregulates GE Alfalfa

by Quita Ortiz