Maine Agricultural Sustainable Water Source Development Grant (WSDG) Program

The Maine Department of Agriculture is currently soliciting proposals for new source development. Details are below.

NEW: The Maine Department of Agriculture is extending the deadline for applications under the Agricultural Water Source Development Cost Share Grant Program from 2:00 p.m. local time on Friday, June 13th, 2008 to 2:00 p.m. local time on Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008. All other requirements for applicants remain the same. The extension is being given to provide more time for commercial farmers to complete water management plans and contact regulatory agencies in cases where regulatory signoffs are required.

Link to download application.

Authority

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, pursuant to Private and Special Law PL 2005, Chapter 462, and subsequent Special Laws established a cost share program for development of environmentally sound water sources to help avoid drought damage to agricultural crops in Maine. Most recently the legislature established the Agricultural Water Management and Irrigation Fund (http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/7/title7sec351.html), Administered by the Department. The Agricultural Water Management Board has been authorized to assist producers in applying for the grant program (http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/7/title7sec353.html).

Purpose

The current cost share program was created to assist farmers to mitigate drought risk while minimizing the potential impacts to Maine’s environment. The goal is the long-term maintenance of profitable farms. This goal will be achieved through the development of alternative water sources which include dug ponds, drilled wells and impoundments in compliance with environmentally sound construction practices.

Eligibility

Any Maine farm business, large or small, that needs to develop environmentally sound water sources to irrigate crops and minimize drought damage is eligible to apply to the program. A farm business is a business that buys and sells agricultural crops and livestock, with a minimum of over $5,000 in gross receipts in any one year. Groups of farmers who will be sourcing water from the same constructed source may apply separately. Only one project per farm will be eligible for funding in any one cycle. If the dollar value of all grants received exceed the funds available, priority will be given to applicants who have not received a grant in the past through this program.

Program Benefits and Use of Funds

The program will provide up to 75% of the cost of construction of a new or expanded water source or up to $80,000 per project, whichever is less. Funds can be used for building ponds, drilling or digging wells in association with construction of the structures. The cost of the pump for wells can be included as part of the project cost. Funds may also be used to provide hydrants and the permanent underground distribution pipe from an existing source to the hydrants in lieu of a new pond or well. The distribution pipe will only be allowed in cases when a new pond or well is not an economical option and only if it is expanding to isolated new irrigated acreage.

Restrictions on Use of Funds

Funds cannot be used for irrigation delivery equipment and supplies, or solely for costs of permitting and engineering design. The costs for permitting and engineering design may be included as a part of the applicant’s share of the total cost of the project. Funds may not be used for test wells. However, the costs of test wells may be included as part of the applicant’s share of the total cost of the project.

Form of Contract

The successful bidder will be expected to enter into a Standard State of Maine Agreement to Purchases Services (BP54), a copy of which is attached to the Request For Proposals. Submission of a proposal in response to this RFP will be understood as the bidder's acceptance of the standard contract's terms and conditions. Funds will be dispersed on the basis of invoices for work accomplished.

Deadline and Submission for Proposals

Five (5) copies of the proposal must be sealed in one envelope and clearly marked with the bidder's return address and the notation: "Proposal: Agricultural Water Source Development Cost Share Grant Program" and delivered to the Division of Purchases, Burton M. Cross Building - 4th Floor, 111 Sewall Street, 9 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0009 no later than 2:00 p.m. local time on Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 at which time and place they will be opened. Please note that only proposals actually received and date stamped at the Division of Purchases at, or prior to, the stated time will be considered; bidders submitting proposals by mail are responsible for allowing adequate time for delivery. Proposals received after the 2:00 p.m. deadline will be rejected, without exception.

Where to Get Applications

The application form is available here for download, or can be obtained by writing to Maine Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, C/O John Harker, 28 State House Station, Augusta, Maine, 0433; or email John.Harker@maine.gov, or call 207-287-7620.

The Water Management Plan

Applicants must have an Agricultural Water Management Plan. A sample outline of a plan can be downloaded here as either a PDF file or a Word document. Staff at the Department of Agriculture can assist you with developing a water management plan. In many cases the USDA-NRCS office, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, The Maine Soil and Water Conservation District offices as well as the Maine Cooperative Extension can assist in helping farmers understand water budgets, locate ponds with minimal wetland impact, and provide soils maps and other information on irrigation.

For Further Information or Assistance

Contact Department staff: John.harker@maine.gov or Stephen.Belyea@maine.gov or phone 287-3491 or write to us at: Maine Department of Agriculture, Irrigation Water Source Development Grant Program, 28SHS, Augusta, ME 04333.

Market and Production Development dIVISION