For immediate release

Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Partnership Efforts Target Local Resource Concerns

NRCS seeks ag producers and non-industrial private forest landowners to apply for financial, technical assistance

Spokane, WA (May 2, 2012) –Today, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced that it anticipates availability of funding for salmon recovery efforts in the Puget Sound. Producers can receive funding to implement conservation practices that address fish passage, and water quality and habitat improvement within fish-bearing areas in the Puget Sound region. Using funds from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), NRCS will provide financial and technical assistance to producers for implementing conservation practices such as planting woody buffers, replacing culverts to remove fish barriers, and decommissioning or replacing manure storage systems along salmon-bearing streams.

NRCS is seeking applications from eligible producers today through May 25, 2012.

“The availability of this additional EQIP funding will provide an excellent opportunity for landowners and producers to address some of the most pressing concerns affecting salmon in the Puget Sound region,” NRCS West Area Conservationist Rick Noble said. “The result will have long-lasting environmental benefits that will extend much further than Western Washington.”

EQIP is a voluntary conservation program that promotes environmental quality and agricultural production as compatible goals. Financial and technical assistance is provided through individual landowner contracts to plan and implement conservation practices on agricultural land and non-industrial private forestland. Also, EQIP helps producers meet federal, state, tribal and local environmental regulations and goals.

Eligible producers include those located within the Puget Sound region who have the desire to address resource concerns on their land that directly impact fish passage, fish habitat enhancement, manure storage management, and water quality in fish-bearing habitat. The Puget Sound region includes the Puget Sound Basin, Hood Canal, the San Juan Island area, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Owners of land in agricultural or forest production, or people engaged in livestock, agricultural or forest production on eligible land may participate in this effort.

To apply for EQIP, applicants must have a profile established in the Service Center Information System (SCIMS) accessed through USDA’s Farm Services Agency (FSA) and meet EQIP eligibility requirements. NRCS is encouraging interested landowners to visit their local NRCS field office and complete an EQIP application during the sign-up period. For more information on eligibility and how to apply for EQIP, producers should visit: http://www.wa.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/app_process.html.

For application assistance or for more information regarding Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Partnership funding, contact your local NRCS field office. Location information can be obtained at the NRCS Washington web site: http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app. 
 

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