Conservation Project Outcomes on the EC Bar Ranch, 10-15-06

In recent years, Jim Crosswhite has implemented projects on the EC Bar Ranch through participation in state and federal grant programs that demonstrate how the integration of conservation and sustainable agricultural practices can improve ranching economics, water quality, and wildlife habitat while meeting public policy objectives. He has matched over 50% of public financial assistance with his own resources.

Since 1997, as a producer-cooperator with the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS), Mr. Crosswhite has followed a conservation plan¹ developed by the NRCS Conservationist, Springerville, as described on his website, www.ECBarRanch.com.² During this period, he has spent over $2 million to complete all recommended Best Management Practices (BMPs) in the Arizona Game & Fish Department (AGFD) Nutrioso Creek Fish Management Report³, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) - Environmental Protection Agency Region 9 (EPA) Nutrioso Creek TMDL for Turbidity Report⁴, and US Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) Little Colorado River Spinedace Recovery Plan⁵ which has resulted in:

1. The first "legally restored" riparian area in Arizona.⁶
2. The first Safe Harbor Agreement between FWS and a private landowner in Arizona.⁷
3. The first instance in Arizona when a federally listed fish species has been relocated from public land to private property by AGFD and FWS.⁸
4. The first time a non-attaining waterbody in Arizona has been recommended for removal from the 303(d) list due to mitigation.⁹
5. The first instance where a NRCS cooperator in Apache County, Arizona, has mitigated all resource concerns in the Arizona Resource Concerns & Quality Criteria Assessment for Crop and Pastureland.¹⁰
6. An improvement in riparian conditions from “non-functional” to “proper functioning condition”.¹¹
7. A 1200% increase in forage production from 300 lbs/acre to 4,000 lbs/acre in 8 years.
8. Livestock productive capacity on 400 acres greater than a 30,000 acre BLM grazing allotment.
9. In addition to operating a successful livestock operation, Mr. Crosswhite has attained the highest water quality and wildlife habitat standards for any private riparian area in Arizona.
10. He has adopted four Management Plans recommended by the NRCS:
    1. Livestock Management Plan for rotational grazing that allows livestock to graze in irrigated and non-irrigated upland pastures during the growing season and the riparian pastures in the dormant winter months to for a sustainable year-round production operation.
    2. Irrigation Water Management Plan to monitor and control the application of timely water through an efficient sprinkler irrigation system on 60 acres of upland pastures.
    3. Nutrient Management Plan to limit fertilizer applications when and where needed to increase forage production.
    4. Pest Management Plan to control and eradicate the spread of noxious weeds/invasive species as necessary.
11. Mr. Crosswhite has hosted over 400 people on visits to the EC Bar Ranch and provided information about conservation projects to over 39,000 visitors to his website, www.ECBarRanch.com
12. Information about conservation practices on the EC Bar Ranch has been presented in over 25 newspapers, magazines, television shows, and films.¹²
13. Monitoring has been performed annually since 1998 with a commitment for 50 more years.¹³
14. Maintenance of all conservation projects is routinely performed without any public financial assistance or support.
15. Protection of riparian area Conservation Values may be accomplished with deed restrictions in the future.
16. Appointed by the Governor, he recently completed one year terms on the Arizona Climate Change Advisory Group (2005-2006) and the Arizona Water Protection Fund Commission (2006-2007).

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