National Water Quality Initiative

A scenic river flows through a green valley with trees and a bridge, while rafts navigate the water under a blue sky. — The Wild and Scenic Rogue River from Hellgate Canyon, July 1, 2019, by Greg Shine, BLM.

Medford National Water Quality Initiative

The Medford (previously Rogue) National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI), a program managed by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), provides funding to enhance water quality. Through a collaborative partnership with the Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District (JSWCD) and the Farm Service Agency (FSA), NRCS offers funding to Jackson County residents for land improvement projects that directly benefit the water quality of the Rogue River.

The NWQI accelerates voluntary private land conservation investments by providing dedicated financial assistance through NRCS’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 319, and other funding sources. These resources help focus state water quality monitoring and assessment efforts where they are most needed. A key component of NWQI is implementing conservation systems that avoid, trap, and control runoff in high-priority watersheds. As part of this initiative, a multi-phased area-wide plan is developed for each targeted region. This NWQI Plan serves as the framework for the area-wide strategy, with a strong focus on Source Water Protection (SWP).

This map shows watersheds in the Medford, Oregon area, highlighting projects for water quality initiatives and eligible areas.

The Rogue Drinking Water Partnership (RDWP) Source Water Protection (SWP) project area covers 148,273 acres across six USGS 12th-field watersheds: Indian, Kanutchan, Lick, Lower Antelope, Reese, and Whetstone creeks (Figure 1.1, Table 1.1). Selected through collaboration with RDWP, DEQ, and NRCS, the project area spans from the Rogue River above Shady Cove to 2.75 miles upstream of the Gold Hill surface water intake. It lies primarily (78%) within the 783,300-acre Upper Rogue Watershed, which stretches from Crater Lake’s headwaters to Dodge Bridge and comprises about 25% of the Rogue Basin.

Your Land. Your Plan. Your Support Team.

Every property is different. This process is designed to make sure your project is well-planned, properly funded, and built to last, not rushed or one-size-fits-all.

How the process works:

You’ll work with an integrated, local team to move through a comprehensive, step-by-step approach:

Flowchart outlining the process for project application, including consultation, planning, specifications, and work phases.

On-site visit to understand your land and priorities
Comprehensive eligibility review with support
Planning tailored to your operational need
Application assistance and coordination
Project design with technical and engineering support
Implementation with guidance from start-to-finish

Timeline: Plan Ahead

These projects are designed to be done right, which means planning ahead is important:

3–6 months for initial consultation and planning
Applications reviewed annually (November–March)
Design and approvals can take up to 18 months
Most projects span more than one year from start to finish

Why it’s worth it

Taking the time upfront helps ensure:

Projects are designed specifically for your land
Funding is used effectively
Improvements deliver long-term benefits
You see results that last for years to come

Funding and Eligibility:

Funding may support improvements in:

Grazing management systems
Irrigation efficiency upgrades
Streamside / riparian vegetation management
Soil health and erosion control in working lands

All projects are focused on improving conditions in or near streams, creeks, and other water resources.

Funding is competitive and not all projects are selected.

Project selection depends on project priorities, applicant and land eligibility.
Applications are reviewed and ranked during the annual funding cycle
Not all eligible, proposed projects will receive funding

The team will work with you to determine eligibility and develop the strongest project possible.