In its Sixth year, the Irrigation Demand Management - Environmental Water Leasing Program (IDM-EWLP) offers landowners within the middle Rio Grande valley the opportunity to lease water back to the District. In partnership with the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer, and the Bureau of Reclamation, MRGCD will pay participants $300 per acre for a partial-season lease and $600 per acre for a full-season lease. The program will reduce overall water demand, increase the flexibility of MRGCD's water resources, and help balance multiple water management objectives in the Middle Valley. Following termination of the lease, participants may once again irrigate those lands under the normal conditions of a District Water Service Contract. Please follow each Step to submit your application.
- Applicants must have a current water service account with MRGCD.
- Applicants must show irrigation history on the enrolled lands 3 out of the last 5 years.
- Applicants must enroll a minimum of 1 acre of eligible, irrigated land (Corrales Service Area is Exempt from this requirement).
- Application must be submitted by the owner(s) of the corresponding parcel.
- Failure to provide accurate or sufficient information may result in your application not being considered.