Funding Programs 1) NM ISC 90/10 Program NM ISC provides 90% of the project construction and Acequia Associations provide 10%. The ceiling for project cost is $167,000. 2) Section 215 Program Small to medium sized projects between $150,000 to $500,000. The funding formula is 75% federal funds, 17.5% State funds, 7.5% Acequia funds. Capital Improvement Project can be used for Acequia Cost Share 3) Corps Section 1113 Program Large Scale Projects between $500,000 to $1.5 million. COE designs and constructs the entire project. The funding formula is 75% federal funds, 17.5% State funds, 7.5% Acequia funds. Capital Improvement Project can be used for Acequia Cost Share. 4) Legislative Special Appropriations Projects (Capital Projects) The New Mexico Legislature appropriates funds to assist individual acequias with specific projects. Commission staff reviews plans, specifications, and ditch eligibility; executes contracts and agreements; and inspects the completed projects. 5) The Loan Program It makes low-interest loans from the Irrigation Works Construction Fund available to acequia, community ditch, and other organizations for construction and repair of irrigation works. Acequia associations may use the loans to pay their share of costs of construction Programs. The loans are made at 2.5 percent interest and the usual repayment period is 10 years. Sources: The Acequia Restoration and Rehabilitation Program Main Objective: help acequia association build or restore diversion structures and ditches used for irrigation Eligibility: Acequia Associations that provide a copy of their bylaws showing that the group is organized and operated as a community dich as defined by the state statute. Steps to be followed:
Contact Interstate Stream Commission and the local National Resources Conservation Service office regarding your community ditch improvement needs.
Request a preliminary site visit, assessment and cost estimate from the local NRCS office.
Send a copy of your community acequia by-laws to ISC for review and approval.