For immediate release

Application cut-off date for many conservation, easement programs set for March 4

SPOKANE, Wash. (Jan. 18, 2011) – March 4 is the application cut-off date for several conservation and easement programs, including five new Conservation Activity Plans (CAPs) for comprehensive nutrient management (confined animal), nutrient management, irrigation water management, conversion to organic farming and forestry, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced today.

CAPs are being offered this year for the first time to producers who want technical assistance on a specific resource concern. Through a CAP, NRCS funds are used to pay a portion of the cost for a private technical service provider (TSP) to develop plans outlining conservation treatment alternatives.

“Producers are assured of quality assistance because all TSPs are certified and must follow NRCS standards,” NRCS Asst. State Conservationist Dave Brown said. “Producers can then implement the practices on their own, or seek financial assistance through NRCS or other agency programs.”

According to Brown, completed CAPs may also receive funding priority in future NRCS application rankings.

The March 4 application cut-off date also applies to four special initiatives in Washington through NRCS’ Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI): SGI offers financial assistance to farmers and ranchers interested in improving sage grouse habitat through practices including retrofitting existing fences to increase their visibility and reduce sage-grouse mortality; installing escape ramps for wildlife in watering facilities; deferring grazing in nesting areas to increase residual cover and increase brood survival rates; and treating noxious or invasive weeds to improve range condition and sage-grouse habitat. The initiative is limited to sage grouse habitat areas of central and eastern Washington.

Wildfire Initiative: NRCS is offering to assist private landowners in recovering from documented 2010 wildfires through a $4 per-acre, per-year incentive payment. This incentive payment, which can be made for up to two years, is intended to help offset the ranchers’ cost of finding alternative pasture.

Conservation Reserve Program Take-Out Initiative: NRCS is providing special funding to help producers with expiring CRP contracts protect their land. Funding will be available for producers interested in converting this land to grazing use by implementing practices such as water developments, fencing and prescribed grazing.

Organic Initiative: Organic producers can receive up to $20,000 per year or $80,000 over six years through this initiative. Funding is for implementing practices that solve resource concerns. This initiative is not intended to provide funding or incentives for producers to convert to organic farming.

Eligible producers and entities interested in conservation easement and restoration programs will also have until March 4 to submit their applications for consideration this fiscal year. Those programs are:

Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program (FRPP): NRCS is seeking proposals from local, state and federally recognized tribal governments and non-governmental organizations interested in working together to acquire conservation easements on farms and ranches. FRPP helps communities preserve farm or ranch land and cultural resources. The program offers a way to keep prime farmland in agriculture use and, at the same time, keep farming and ranching communities thriving by relieving development pressures.

Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP): WRP assists eligible applicants in the restoration, protection and enhancement of wetlands on their property through a voluntary, environmentally safe and cost-effective manner. Landowners receive assistance through three program participation options: 10-year restoration cost-share agreements; 30-year conservation easements; or permanent easements. Under the permanent easement option NRCS pays 100 percent of wetland restoration costs.

Grassland Reserve Program (GRP): GRP is a voluntary conservation program that emphasizes support for working grazing operations, enhancement of plant and animal biodiversity, and protection of grassland under threat of conversion to other uses. Participants voluntarily limit future development and cropping uses of the land while retaining the right to conduct common grazing practices and operations related to the production of forage and seeding, subject to certain restrictions during nesting seasons of bird species that are in significant decline or are protected under federal or state law. A grazing management plan is required for participants.

“While all of these programs are offered on a continuous sign-up basis, individuals interested in applying for 2011 funding should contact their local USDA-NRCS service center office before the March 4 application cut-off date,” Brown said.
 

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