FREE:  Wildlife escape ramps for stock tanks.

Contact:  Robin Moser email: robin.moser@wy.usda.gov        

(307) 587-3251 For  more info click here

 

NRCS Grants and Cost Share Information

USDA ANNOUNCES FISCAL YEAR 2008 SIGN-UP FOR UP TO $20 MILLION IN
CONSERVATION INNOVATION GRANTS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


WASHINGTON, Dec. 17, 2007-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Chief Arlen Lancaster today announced the request for proposals for
Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for fiscal year 2008. The CIG
program is designed to stimulate the development and adoption of
innovative conservation approaches and technologies.

"CIG enables NRCS to work with other public and private entities to
accelerate transfer and adoption of promising technologies and
conservation approaches to address some of the Nation's most pressing
natural resource concerns," said Lancaster. "CIG benefits agricultural
producers by providing more options for environmental enhancement."

The Department of Agriculture's NRCS administers CIG. For fiscal year
(FY) 2008, up to $20 million is available for the National CIG
competition. Funds for single- or multi-year projects, not to exceed
three years, will be awarded through a nationwide competitive grants
process with applications accepted from all 50 States, the Caribbean
Area (Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands) and the Pacific Basin Area
(Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands) from all eligible non-federal government or non-government
organizations or individuals, including federally recognized tribes.

There are three CIG categories available in FY 2008:

* Natural Resource Concerns Category-up to $10 million available for
proposals addressing one or more of the CIG natural resource concerns.
This component was also offered in FY 2004, FY 2005, FY 2006, and FY
2007 awards.

* Technology Category-up to $5 million available for proposals
addressing one or more of the CIG technology categories. This component
was offered for the first time in FY 2006.

* Chesapeake Bay Watershed Category-up to $5 million available for
proposals addressing one or more of the CIG natural resource concerns in
the Chesapeake Bay watershed. This component was also offered in FY
2005, FY 2006, and FY 2007. For FY 2008, the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation will be accepting and reviewing the applications for this
category. For information on applying for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Category, please visit www.nfwf.org/cheaspeake.

Applicants should explain how large a geographic area that the project
would benefit. Projects may be watershed-based, regional, multi-State,
or nationwide in scope. Applications should describe the use of
innovative technologies or approaches, or both, to address a natural
resource conservation concern(s).

Funding for CIG is made available through the Environmental Quality
Incentives Program (EQIP). All proposed CIG projects must involve
EQIP-eligible producers. CIG funds that are used to provide direct or
indirect payments to individuals or entities to implement structural,
vegetative or management practices are subject to the $450,000 EQIP
payment limitation. CIG is not a research program, but rather a tool to
stimulate the adoption of conservation approaches or technologies that
have been studied sufficiently to indicate a high likelihood of success,
and are likely candidates for eventual technology transfer.

CIG will fund projects targeting innovative on-the-ground conservation,
including pilot projects and field demonstrations. Technologies and
approaches that are commonly used in the geographic area covered by the
application, and which are eligible for funding through EQIP, are not
eligible for funding through CIG. Proposed projects must conform to the
description of innovative conservation projects or activities published
in the Announcement of Program Funding (APF).

CIG funds pilot projects and conservation field trials that can last
from one to three years. Grants for approved projects cannot exceed 50
percent of the total project cost. The federal contribution for a single
project cannot exceed $1 million. At least 50 percent of the total cost
of the project must come from non-Federal matching funds (cash and
in-kind contributions) provided by the grantee. While NRCS will provide
technical oversight for each project receiving an award, the grantee is
responsible for providing the technical assistance required to
successfully complete the project.

Applications must be received in the NRCS National Headquarters by 5
p.m., Eastern Standard Time (EST), on Wednesday, February 20, 2008.
Applications should be sent to: USDA Natural Resources Conservation
Service; Conservation Innovation Grants Program; Financial Assistance
Programs Division, Room 5239-S; 1400 Independence Ave, SW; Washington,
DC 20250.

To view the complete Announcement of Program Funding, visit:
http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html. Enter NRCS in the Quick Search
box, then click on the Submit button. On the Search Results page, look
for fr17de07N Conservation Innovation Grants Fiscal Year 2008
Announcement.

To apply electronically visit: http://www.grants.gov/. For more
information about NRCS conservation programs online, visit:
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov, or visit the nearest USDA Service Center in
your area.

 

Riparian Buffers and Windbreaks available for cost-share

The Continuous CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) can help eligible producers with riparian buffers along perennial and intermittent streams and with field windbreaks on cropland. If the buffers are on grazing land then fencing would be cost shared. Watering facilities can be included for cost-share if the stream is the only source for livestock. The width of a buffer can be 35 ft to 180 ft. Windbreaks of 1 to 3 rows can be planted on cropland. A portion of the trees must have a wildlife benefit such as berries. The cost-share can cover weed control in the form of fabric weed barrier or mulch but you must be able to provide water. Otherwise, a drip irrigation system can be cost-shared and the producer covers the cost of weed control. There is a yearly rental payment on the land that is in the contract. Sign up is at the Farm Service Agency Office in the USDA Service Center located in Powell. It is non-competitive and funds are available during the year for qualified applicants.

 

NEWS RELEASE

United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Box 33124
100 East B Street
Casper, Wyoming  82601

For Immediate Release

Contact: Cheryl Grapes
307-233-6762

OCTOBER 1 IS DEADLINE FOR 2008 CONSERVATION PROGRAMS SIGNUP

CASPER, Aug. 28, 2007 - Agricultural producers are reminded that
they may submit applications for fiscal year 2008 conservation programs
funds to Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offices through
Oct. 1, 2007.  Private landowners may sign up for the Environmental
Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Wildlife Habitat Incentives
Program (WHIP) and the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP).
"The earlier, Oct. 1, sign-up period provides producers more
time and options to address all resource concerns and ensures they are
incorporated into individual conservation program contracts," said
Xavier Montoya, NRCS state conservationist.
Applications on file that were not selected for contracts in
2007 may be carried over.  Applicants should contact the local office if
they wish to maintain or change their application.
The programs are available on a continuous sign-up basis, and
applications received after Oct. 1, will be deferred and held for
consideration at a future date as funding becomes available.
These conservation programs were authorized in the 2002 Farm
Bill and are administered by the NRCS.  They offer financial and
technical assistance for a variety of conservation practices available
to private land managers who wish to voluntarily participate.
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) promotes
agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible national
goals.   EQIP provides cost-share assistance to install or implement
structural and management conservation practices on eligible
agricultural land.  Examples of how EQIP may be used to improve the
health of the land include installing water quality improvements, such
as livestock waste management systems; enhancing grazing lands
management through fencing and water developments; and increasing water
conservation by improving irrigation systems.
The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) encourages
creation of high quality wildlife habitat through cost-share projects
that support state and local priorities.
The Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) offers landowners assistance
to restore and protect wetlands and associated uplands through permanent
easements, 30-year easements, and restoration cost-share agreements.
The program is designed to achieve maximum wetland functions and values
while obtaining optimum wildlife habitat.
Applications are available at local USDA Service Centers or NRCS
Field Offices listed under United States Government in community phone
directories.   For more information go to
http://www.wy.nrcs.usda.gov /programs/index.html.
-End-


The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status,
familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic
information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an
individual's income is derived from any public assistance program.  (Not
all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)  Persons with disabilities
who require alternative means for communication of program information
(Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET
Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).  To file a complaint of
discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400
Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C.  20250-9410, or call (800)
795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).  USDA is an equal opportunity
provider and employer.

-End-

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status,
familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic
information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an
individual's income is derived from any public assistance program.  (Not
all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)  Persons with disabilities
who require alternative means for communication of program information
(Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET
Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).  To file a complaint of
discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400
Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C.  20250-9410 or call (800)
795-3272 (voice) or
(202) 720-6382 (TDD).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and
employer.