NEWS

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
9173 W. Barnes Dr., Suite B
Boise, Idaho 83709

For more information:
Bob Bartholomew (208) 378-5703

MORE SALMON MONEY AVAILABLE TO FARMERS AND RANCHERS

BOISE, March 30, 2005—Idaho has received over $300,000 in additional money to help farmers and ranchers restore and conserve salmon habitat.

The money came as part of the USDA Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) Salmon Habitat Restoration Initiative, first announced last spring. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers WHIP.

The sign-up for contract applications runs from April 1 to May 2.

Through this initiative, NRCS assists private landowners with projects to restore salmon habitat. Projects can include providing shade along streams, restoring gravel spawning beds, removing barriers to fish passages and reducing agricultural runoff. Practices have to directly address salmon habitat.

“WHIP can help private landowners comply with species restoration requirements under the Endangered Species Act,” says Richard Sims, state conservationist for the Idaho NRCS. “We hope the added money can help agriculture live side-by-side with sensitive aquatic species.”

WHIP is a voluntary conservation program providing technical and financial assistance to landowners to develop upland, wetland, riparian and aquatic habitat areas on their property. The program offers landowners 5-to-10-year agreements and 15-year or longer agreements.

Applicants are required to work with a representative from the Idaho Department of Fish & Game or the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Interested landowners are encouraged to contact their local USDA-NRCS Service Center or visit www.id.nrcs.usda.gov under Programs, and then WHIP.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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