Farmers in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and New Mexico to Receive Compensation for Water Conservation
Farmers in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and New Mexico will now have the opportunity to be rewarded for their efforts in conserving water. The water conservation programs in these states have been extended into the next year, allowing farmers to receive compensation for cutting back on their water usage.
The System Conservation Pilot Program (SCPP) was initially launched from 2015 to 2018 as a trial to support projects that could offer potential solutions to declining water levels in Lake Mead and Lake Powell. These lakes have been greatly affected by long-term drought conditions in the Upper Colorado River Basin. The trial aimed to explore voluntary, temporary, and compensated water cuts as a means of addressing this issue.
During the trial period, the program received nearly $8.5 million in federal funding, with the four states collectively spending this amount, according to The Colorado Sun.
Through the SCPP, approximately 47,200 acre-feet of water from the Upper Basin states has been preserved. This program allows water users, including farmers, to be compensated for temporarily reducing their water usage. It enables them to contribute to sustainable water use in the Colorado River system without sacrificing their water rights or livelihoods, as stated by the Colorado River Authority of Utah.
The program is not designed to force people out of agriculture but rather provides an additional tool for water users to enhance the value and stability of their operations.
An American flag waves in the wind at the edge of a farm outside of Walsh, Colo., on Dec. 6, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)
Simplified Compensation Structure
In January of this year, the federal government reauthorized the System Conservation Pilot program (pdf) and allocated up to $125 million from the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act to the Upper Basin states for water reduction projects between 2023 and 2026.
However, the program faced low participation levels, resulting in an investment of approximately $16 million and the conservation of 37,810 acre-feet of water. This amount is relatively small compared to the annual flow of the Colorado River, which is around 12 million acre-feet, according to multiple reports.
Despite the limited participation, commissioners from the Upper Basin states unanimously voted to continue the farmer compensation aspect of the program. This time, they introduced a more transparent and straightforward fixed-price compensation structure.
Under the revised program, officials from all four states are now offering farmers and ranchers a base rate of up to $150 per acre-foot of water saved, as reported by The Colorado Sun.
Farmers and Ranchers Express Concerns
While advocates applaud the program, some individuals have expressed doubts about the effectiveness of compensating farmers for their water conservation efforts.
“It’s a comical mess,” stated Shaun Chapoose, chairman of the northeast Utah Ute Indian Tribe, in an interview with The Denver Post. “They ain’t fixing anything.”
Furthermore, certain Colorado farmers voiced concerns to local radio station KSJD that reducing water usage could negatively impact the local economy and lead to widespread drying of agricultural land. These concerns are particularly significant given the ongoing drought conditions.
Elizabeth Koebele, a water policy researcher at the University of Nevada-Reno, highlighted that farmers are also worried about the compensation amount offered, which may not be sufficient to incentivize them to voluntarily reduce their water usage.
“If people understand the importance of this water, they may demand a higher price for it. They may also be concerned about whether the compensation adequately accounts for potential negative impacts on their fields,” explained Ms. Koebele.
Nevertheless, federal officials remain hopeful that the program will contribute to the overall goal of reducing water usage in the Colorado River Basin by 2 million to 4 million acre-feet in 2023. This reduction, which amounts to up to one-third of the river’s annual average flow, was requested by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in 2022.
Becky Mitchell, Colorado River Commissioner for the State of Colorado, stated, “This year’s revamp incorporates valuable input from Colorado water users. The SCPP should—and can—work in a way that makes sense for Colorado. The pilot program offers flexibility for Coloradans who want to explore innovative conservation projects,” in an interview with The Hill.
, Utah, and New Mexico has sparked debate among critics and proponents. Some argue that compensating farmers for reducing water usage could create a perverse incentive to use more water in the first place. Others believe that the program is necessary for the long-term sustainability of the Colorado River Basin. Here are three questions related to the program:
Armers or whatever you want to call them—conservationists. They don’t conserve anything.” Other critics argue that compensating farmers for reducing their water usage could create a perverse incentive to use more water in the first place, in order to receive compensation for cutting back later.
Despite these concerns, proponents of the program argue that it is a necessary step towards ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Colorado River Basin. The annual flow of the Colorado River has been declining due to factors such as drought, climate change, and increased demand for water. By incentivizing farmers to conserve water, the program aims to reduce the strain on the river system and ensure that it can continue to meet the needs of both human and ecological communities.
In addition to the financial compensation, the program also provides technical assistance and support to farmers who participate. This includes help with implementing water-saving measures, such as upgrading irrigation systems, implementing more efficient irrigation practices, and using crop varieties that require less water. By offering this support, the program aims to make it easier for farmers to adopt water-saving practices and maximize the impact of their conservation efforts.
The extended program will run until the end of next year, allowing farmers in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and New Mexico to continue receiving compensation for their water conservation efforts. It is hoped that the program will not only help to preserve water resources in the region but also serve as a model for other areas facing similar water challenges.
In conclusion, the extension of the System Conservation Pilot Program in Colorado, Wyoming
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