AEWQA PROGRAM APPLICATION
AEWQA Program - INTRODUCTION
The objective of AEWQA is to accelerate and incentivize the implementation of sediment, nutrient, and irrigation management practices on agricultural and equestrian operations in the three major watersheds (Ventura River, Santa Clara River, and Calleguas Creek) of Ventura County. The goal of this project is to mitigate pesticide and nutrient runoff and improve water quality in accordance with relevant Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs).
AEWQA Process - BACKGROUND
Participants will be selected based on criteria including
- Sites that exhibit high modeled water savings and erosion reduction potential.
- Drainage areas, described by the Ventura County Agricultural Irrigated Lands Group (VCAILG) as Responsibility Areas, that exceed water quality benchmarks as per the 2017 VCAILG Water Quality Management Plan.
- GIS-mapping to identify parcels where proposed irrigation and soil management practices will be most impactful to water quality benefits.
Participants will receive:
AEWQA can cover up to 60% of the hardware costs of on-farm improvements. Applicants are required to cash match the remaining 40% of hardware costs and 100% of labor costs. Proposals are subject to a per project cap dependent on funding remaining and proposed scope of work.
Participants must be willing to allow VCRCD staff
- property access prior, during and after improvement implementation
- access to relevant water-use and fertilizer-use records, if requested
If you would like to be considered to participate in the AEWQA program, complete the attached application and submit it to johnagustin.zecua@vcrcd.org or alexander.vaca@vcrcd.org.
For additional AEWQA program information, please visit https://vcrcd.org/aewqa/. For questions about the AEWQA program or the AEWQA application process, please contact:
Johnagustin Zecua, Agricultural Conservation Specialist Ventura County Resource Conservation District
(805)-764-5153 - johnagustin.zecua@vcrcd.org
Alexander Vaca, Resource Conservation Technician Ventura County Resource Conservation District (805)-764-5156 - alexander.vaca@vcrcd.org
