Water Well Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/617280
conserve water on 341,000 acres through this initiative." The Ogallala Aquifer is the largest aquifer in the United States and includes nearly all of Nebraska and large sections of Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming. It is the primary water source for the High Plains region. Covering nearly 174,000 square miles, the aquifer supports the produc- tion of nearly one-fifth of the wheat, corn, cotton, and cattle produced in the United States and supplies 30% of all water used for irrigation in the United States. Water levels in the region are drop- ping at an unsustainable rate, making targeted conservation even more impor- tant. From 2011 to 2013, the aquifer's overall water level dropped by 36 mil- lion acre-feet, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The USDA's Natural Resources Con- servation Service supports targeted, local efforts to conserve the quality and quantity of water in nine targeted focus areas through the Ogallala Aquifer Ini- tiative, adding two new focus areas for fiscal year 2016, while continuing support for seven ongoing projects. These projects include improving the efficiency of irrigation systems, building soil health by using cover crops and no- till practices that allow the soil to hold water longer and buffer roots from higher temperatures, and implementing prescribed grazing to relieve pressure on stressed vegetation. Letter to Congress Urges Support for Groundwater Monitoring Network A s the U.S. Congress works toward a long-term omnibus spending pack- age, NGWA led a coalition of supporters in sending a letter in support of increas- ing funding for the National Ground- Water Monitoring Network. The Network received $2.6 million in funding for implementation in FY2015, and the Senate Interior, Envi- ronment and Related Agencies appropri- ations bill increases funding by $1 million for FY2016. The NGWA coalition letter asks for $3.6 million in funding for FY2016, in line with the Senate language. As of November 30, 2015, govern- ment funding currently ran out on De- cember 11, 2015 and House and Senate leaders were working feverishly to come to a long-term agreement and avoid a government shutdown. How- ever, the threat of policy riders that could trigger a presidential veto loomed over negotiations. With the framework in place for im- plementing the National Ground-Water Monitoring Network, an increase in funding would allow for more data providers across the country to partici- pate. In addition, an increase would demonstrate support for groundwater monitoring from Congress. Logging Device Rule Clears Final Hurdle After spending months under review by the U.S. Department of Transporta- tion and the White House Office of Management and Budget, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's final rule on the use of electronic log- ging devices to log hours of service was cleared for publication. The rule was published in the Fed- eral Register on December 10, 2015. Twitter @WaterWellJournl WWJ January 2016 11 NEWS continues on page 12 Flomatic'svalves are used by more pump manufacturers than any other valve on the market. This new, exclusive poppet system ensures that the valve smoothly and automatically adjusts to flow changes and is noiseless at even very low flows. Call for complete information at 800-833-2040 or visit us on the web at www.flomatic.com High Quality Valves Built to Last… New patented submersible pump check valve for use on variable flow demand (VFD) systems and applications. Standard check valves will "chatter" and be noisy when the system goes to low flow, causing eventual failure. The unique Model 80E VFD and100E VFD valves are designed to minimize flow losses and hydraulic shocks in the pumping system. Flomatic Corporation 15 Pruynʼs Island Drive Glens Falls, NY 12801 Phone: (800) 833-2040 • (518) 761-9797 Fax: (518) 761-9798 • www.flomatic.com Email: flomatic@flomatic.com High Quality Valves Built To Last... New VFD Enviro-Check ® Valve with a 5 - year warranty Now Available 1" - 4" Patented VFD Check Valves (Also available in Ductile Iron and Stainless Steel 1" thru 8") America's First Choice Composite Poppet Stainless Steel Poppet