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Oglala Land and Water Conservancy reports expanded groundwater conservation, cites REPI and foundation grants
Summary
Dr. LaDonna Clayton told the commission OLWC has 13,136 acres under contract, has secured 12,846 acre-feet of groundwater and cited recent monitoring of 38 wells showing localized rises; the presentation highlighted REPI funding, a $130,000 Thornburg Foundation award and partnerships with Cannon AFB.
Dr. LaDonna Clayton of the Oglala Land and Water Conservancy briefed the Curry County Commission on voluntary, landowner-driven conservation agreements designed to conserve groundwater in the Ogallala Aquifer and protect working agricultural lands.
"Each landowner...maintains a 100% of the water and maintains all the water rights," Clayton said, stressing that easements and leases are voluntary and reviewed by legal counsel. She described program scale and outcomes: 13,136 acres under contract, 28,632 acre-feet of appropriated rights associated with contracts, and 12,846 acre-feet of actual groundwater secured. Clayton said monitoring of 38 wells — including landowner, Cannon and USGS wells — showed measurable local water-level rises in priority areas.
Clayton also described funding and partnerships: three water-right lease payments were completed as of 06/14/2024 and a fourth payment was scheduled; REPI funding recently deposited in escrow locally; a $130,000 award from the Thornburg Foundation; and use of a contracting firm (AMP Insights) to pursue additional grants. She said OLWC has 7 conservation easements approved (13,175 acres approved for easements total) and is working with NRCS and other partners to complete additional easements.
Commissioners questioned appraisal and accountability processes. Commissioner Martin expressed the need for transparency and said federal funds require accountability. Clayton responded that OLWC rejected the first appraisal because it did not fairly compensate landowners and emphasized that landowners retain final decision authority and may consult attorneys prior to signing.
Commissioners and staff acknowledged water as a critical county priority and thanked OLWC for partnership work with Cannon Air Force Base and local landowners. Clayton noted multiagency monitoring and recognized national awards for the partnership. The commission took no additional formal action beyond receiving the presentation.
