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

Sign-up deadline approaching for conservation funding to idaho landowners
Farmers are encouraged to sign up for conservation funds before October 19

October 16, 2007, Boise, ID — State Conservationist Richard Sims of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) today announced that Idaho has received its initial allocation of $9.6 million in conservation funding through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).  EQIP provides financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and foresters willing to implement conservation practices to improve soil, water, wildlife habitat and other resources on privately owned forest and agricultural land.

The early sign-up deadline for EQIP ends on October 19; however, NRCS will continue to accept applications through November 23.  All applicants who sign up before the October 19 deadline will be eligible for the earliest consideration of funding.

NRCS is offering four EQIP special initiatives in fiscal year 2008: wildfire recovery, species of concern, tribal lands and energy conservation.  “All of our conservation initiatives are driven by the high-priority resource issues affecting Idaho’s agricultural landscape,” said Sims.  “For example, we saw the massive devastation that the wildfires placed on our grazing lands earlier this year.  Our wildfire recovery initiative offers financial assistance to help ranchers with burned grazing lands maintain the health of their livestock.”

The four EQIP special initiatives available in fiscal year 2008 include:  

Wildfire Recovery- $200,000 is available to ranchers with burned grazing lands resulting from summer wildfires.  Participants will receive $11 for each burned acre of rangeland that is deferred from grazing for one year—this process will allow the land to heal naturally.  Final application deadline is October 31.

Energy Conservation – $500,000 is available for landowners who convert their existing sprinkler irrigation systems to one operated solely by gravity pressure. 
Species of Concern - $500,000 has been set aside for EQIP contracts that include conservation practices that will provide a direct benefit to selected wildlife species and their habitat.

Tribal Lands- Nearly $200,000 is available for federally recognized Tribes in Idaho.  Applications on Tribal lands from Tribal member owners or operators will receive priority consideration for these funds.

Funds not designated for special initiatives will address other priority resource concerns in the state. EQIP can help in implementing water conservation, integrated pest management, nutrient management, air quality improvements, rangeland management, manure management and more.

Assistance can be in the form of structures and conservation "hardware," such as irrigation or manure management facilities as well as incentive payments for proper management to achieve environmental benefits.