Partnership with rice producers will improve wildlife habitat
DAVIS, Calif., July 29, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Sacramento Valley rice producers now have the opportunity to make more of a conservation investment on their working lands this year. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has received an additional $2 million for wildlife habitat conservation improvements.
"We are happy to provide this additional investment to help rice producers conserve and improve California's wildlife habitat," says Ed Burton NRCS State Conservationist. "While this funding will go primarily toward pending unfunded applications, our local offices will continue to take new applications year-round, and offer landowners ongoing conservation planning and technical assistance."
The $1.5 million in Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program and $500,000 in Environmental Quality Incentives Program funding is part of NRCS' national Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative, and is in partnership with the California Rice Commission. The funding is targeted toward rice producers interested in creating additional habitat, including flooding fields during spring migration.
"We are excited that these funds are available," said California Rice Commission Environmental Affairs Manager Paul Buttner. "This will help us demonstrate the innovative practices California rice farmers can do to further enhance the value of California ricelands for waterbirds and other wetland-dependent species of wildlife. We look forward to working with the NRCS. Along with many other conservation groups, NRCS has been an important partner with California rice for many years."
The funding is offered through the 2008 Farm Bill's Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The funding complements the approximately $60 million NRCS has already obligated this year in WHIP and EQIP conservation contracts.
Interested producers are encouraged to contact their local NRCS Service Center. Contact information is available at http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app'state=CA.
SOURCE USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service
