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New drought tool: pay farmers not to irrigate
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/New-drought-tool-pay-farmers-not-to-irrigate-5793940.phpNew drought tool: pay farmers not to irrigate
By Scott Huddleston : October 1, 2014
SAN ANTONIO — A new tool to help the drought-stricken Edwards Aquifer will kick in next year: payments to farmers and other big water users not to irrigate.
When they don't irrigate, it leaves more water in the aquifer in order to help keep springs flowing and endangered species alive. The landowners get paid to make up for the lost revenue from the crops they would otherwise have grown and sold.
The Voluntary Irrigation Suspension Program Option, or VISPO, was triggered Wednesday because the aquifer's level was 630.6 feet above sea level at the Bexar County J-17 index well, well below the historic average. The Oct. 1 benchmark had to be below 635 feet for the no-irrigation program to take effect.
The Edwards Aquifer Authority has secured commitments from landowners that they will not pump about 39,000 acre-feet of water — nearly 7 percent of the EAA's total permitted pumping, and enough water to serve roughly 125,000 average households. The $8 million that will be paid to farmers and other irrigators is derived from pumping and customers fees and contributions in the region.
