With a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Cochise County will be able to continue its water conservation efforts.
The grant was approved by the Board of Supervisors at the March 13 meeting of the Flood Control District Board of Directors.
The funds will be used by the Highway and Floodplain Department for watershed planning and an environmental assessment.
The Bella Vista Recharge Facility also will receive funding to collect storm water runoff, generated by area development, which flows into Coyote Wash. The excess runoff will help recharge the aquifer and improve the San Pedro River’s base flow.
Because that is estimated to cost $8 million, Cochise County will apply for additional NRCS grant funding to complete the project.