Palouse River Conservation District seeks applications from area landowners, producers

The Palouse Conservation District has announced funding available to local landowners and producers for land conservation. Funding is available through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) specifically for the Palouse River watershed. This watershed includes portions of Whitman, Spokane, Adams and Lincoln counties, as well as a portion of Latah County in Idaho.

Landowners and producers need to apply for the funds by Feb. 3. Funds will be available with the purpose of establishing voluntary, incentive-based conservation practices.

“It's important that we implement these projects to reduce erosion and to reduce runoff,” said Tami Stubbs, conservation agriculture and farmed smart coordinator for the Palouse Conservation District. “These projects also work on improving soil health and the wildlife habitat.”

Funding was first announced in 2015, with the program providing a total of $11 million over the course of five years for these projects. According to a press release from the Palouse Conservation District, by the end of the five years, “more than 250 acres of riparian buffer installation, 45,000 acres of conservation tillage, and 520 acres of agricultural conservation easement” will be completed through the program. The agricultural easement funding comes through multiple funding sources, including the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), CSP and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP).

Stubbs said some projects were able to get off the ground in 2016, and more already accepted projects are underway or almost ready to start.

“Some of the projects went on the ground this fall. Direct seed practices went on the ground,” said Stubbs. “Riparian buffer practices will be going on this spring, as well as some more direct seed.”

The $11 million, authorized through the 2014 Farm Bill, is provided by 19 partners, which include the NRCS, Washington State Conservation Commission, eight conservation districts, Washington State University, the University of Idaho, the Washington Department of Ecology, the Palouse Land Trust, the Pacific Northwest Direct Seed Association, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute. The Palouse Conservation District leads the partnership.

The majority of applications received previously were from Whitman County, said Stubbs. Ten local applicants received funding in fiscal year 2016, and 30 were awarded for fiscal year 2017.

“These projects will implement a number of conservation practices including conservation tillage, riparian buffers and cover crops and precision agriculture,” said Stubbs.

Anyone wishing to apply for this funding should contact the Palouse Conservation District at 509-332-4101 ext. 111.