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Funding To Help New Mexico's Acequias As Drought Persists

Federal officials are pumping more than $9 million into four water quality and conservation projects in New Mexico, including one aimed at revitalizing centuries-old communal canals that deliver water to farmers and ranchers.

The head of the Natural Resources Conservation Service visited northern New Mexico on Thursday to tour the oldest acequia in the nation and discuss ways the traditional irrigation canals can be used as a hedge against drought.

NRCS Chief Jason Weller says the idea is to make acequias more efficient so they can continue to deliver water to the communities that depend on them for raising livestock and growing crops.

Under the program, Weller says federal dollars are being combined with money from local and state governments, nonprofit groups and landowners to get more work done.

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