NEWS

United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
9173 W. Barnes Dr., Suite C
Boise, Idaho 83709
 
For More Information:
Bob Bartholomew, 208-378-5703
Dastina Johnson, 208-685-6978


assistance available for fire damaged private grazing lands
Federal funds available to help landowners affected by Idaho's wildfires

August 1, 2007, Boise, ID— In response to the devastating wildfires that have burned approximately 900,000 acres in Idaho, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Richard Sims has announced a special wildfire initiative to assist landowners affected by the blazes.  This initiative allows private landowners with burned grazing lands to sign up for financial assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) until August 15.    

The two-week period will allow Idaho’s ranchers to apply for the one-time $11 per acre incentive payment for grazing land acres that have been burned.  The purpose of the incentive payment is to allow burned acres to naturally recover by requiring that livestock be deferred from grazing for approximately one year.  The incentive payments will allow landowners to purchase livestock feed, rent additional pasture, repair damaged fences and livestock watering facilities, and conduct management activities to maintain the health of the livestock.  

Applications will be ranked on two criteria: the percentage of total grazing land damaged and the percentage of damaged acres that the applicant will defer from grazing for one year.  Applications will be funded based on ranking until all fiscal year 2007 funds have been exhausted.

“Our goal is to provide immediate funds to all eligible ranchers affected by the blaze.  However, due to our very limited funds, I would like to encourage only those who have the most severe needs to apply at this time,” said Sims.  “I anticipate there will be a need to have a second sign-up available early in fiscal year 2008 to provide the same opportunity to those who may suffer from current or new wildfires before the end of the fire season.  I expect sign-up to begin in mid-October with funds available shortly thereafter.” 

To participate, producers must agree to defer grazing on the contracted acres from the fire’s inception until October 1, 2008.  “Allowing the land a year to rest and heal on its own has proven to be successful at reestablishing and recovering native vegetation after wildfire damage,” said Sims.

NRCS is accepting applications from landowners in areas where wildfire damage has been previously assessed.  No more than 2,500 acres of grazing land can be contracted per agricultural operation under this special initiative. Sims stressed that producers interested in remaining eligible for future wildfire contracts must not graze the lands they wish to enroll.

Landowners must currently meet EQIP eligibility based on records on file with the USDA. Due to the critical need to obligate these funds by September 1, applicants who are not immediately eligible will be considered only for the 2008 program.

For information on eligibility requirements or this special initiative, contact your local USDA Service Center or Bob Bartholomew at 208-378-5703.  Information on other USDA NRCS programs and services are available at www.id.nrcs.usda.gov.
 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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