Updated July 2019
June 2019 Update - Seven RCPP 2017 Cultural Resource surveys have been contracted by NMACD in the Las Cruces, Roswell, Deming and Socorro field offices.
The NMACD Restoration Initiative is in its 16th year. The purpose of the initiative is to address invasive species on range and woodland on private, state, and federals lands in New Mexico. NMACD has been coordinating funding from the NRCS-EQIP program and the BLM-Restore New Mexico programs to provide funds to ranchers for addressing invasive brush species. Over 170 Coordinated Resource Management Plans (CRMP) have been developed and funded. In addition, there have been 62 watershed/landscape scale treatments carried out by 13 Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
A new agreement with the US Forest Service is the start of coordinated efforts with the Forest Service and ranchers with forest permits. The agreement calls for NMACD to work with the Forest Supervisors and District Rangers to develop coordinated plans with ranchers. Ranchers can then use the CRMPs to make application for EQIP funds with the NRCS.
The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) was introduced in the 2014 Farm Bill. The 2018 Farm Bill made RCPP a standalone program. NMACD was approved for $4 million in 2015 for NRCS to fund ranchers for conservation work on their ranches that include Federal Lands. NMACD also applied for RCPP funding in 2017 and currently there is $5 million available for NRCS to fund ranchers for conservation work on their ranches that include Federal Lands.
NMACD continues to work with the BLM statewide to implement projects under their Restore New Mexico Program. Currently NMACD is working under a financial assistance agreement with BLM, which was awarded to NMACD in 2015. To date approximately $12 million has passed through this agreement for conservation practices on Federal, State and Private property.
The goal in all of this work is to improve the range and forest lands in New Mexico. This is being accomplished through reducing brush invasion and implementing supporting practices such as fencing, water development, and erosion control.