NEWS

United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
9173 W. Barnes Dr., Suite C
Boise, Idaho 83709
 
For More Information:

Jeff Burwell, 208/378-5700
Bob Bartholomew, 208/378-5703
 

The Weiser River Watershed Pilot Project

Boise, ID, June 23, 2008— Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Idaho State Conservationist, Jeff Burwell, announced it is accepting applications for Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) contracts for a Pilot project on the Weiser River Watershed.

“This pilot project is a unique opportunity for Idaho. The Weiser River Watershed is one of six locations in the United States chosen for this project.” Burwell said.

This project will address the highest priority concerns that were identified through the Rapid Watershed Assessment (RWA) process, including sage grouse habitat on rangelands, and nitrates in the ground water on irrigated crop lands. NRCS will address these concerns utilizing a suite of practices identified in the RWA.

"Suite practices include a system approach to solving resource concerns in a watershed,” Burwell said. “And these practices will be dependant on the individual applicants land and its resource needs.”

The Weiser River Watershed covers more than one million acres in Washington, Adams, and Gem counties and Idaho has received $500,000 to fund this Pilot project.

 

Idaho NRCS has prepared two funding pools; one for surface and ground water, and one to address sage grouse/ wildlife habitat in a range ecosystem. Each funding pool will have a threshold of points, and applicants that meet, or exceed, the minimum will be able to sign a contract.

“Contracts must be signed by August first,” Burwell said. “And, unlike regular EQIP contracts that must be rated and ranked, if an applicant meets the threshold, their contract can be signed immediately.”

As part of the pilot project all structural practices, such as watering facilities, pipelines, irrigation systems and fences, must be completed within 18 months of signing the contract. Management practices, can be stretched out for years, these include; irrigation water management, nutrient management, and prescribed grazing.

To Learn more about this EQIP Pilot Project contact the Weiser NRCS Field office, 847 E. 9th  St. Weiser, ID 83672, or call (208) 549-4280.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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