Money, Technical Help Available for Conservation Projects

Contact: Renee Bodine (602) 280-8778
or George Couch (602) 280-8806   

PHOENIX, Dec. 1, 2006—Farmers, ranchers, and other private landowners can apply for financial and technical help from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Applications are being accepted for three different programs that benefit agricultural land, wetlands, and wildlife habitat.

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP), and Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) provided nearly $25 million to private landowners in Arizona in 2006. NRCS in Arizona is accepting applications for these programs for 2007.

EQIP helps farmers and ranchers treat soil, water, air, and related natural resource concerns. A first round of applications were accepted until Nov. 1, but a second application period has been opened. Applications will be accepted until Jan. 29, 2007. EQIP is the largest program for NRCS in Arizona, with 253 applications receiving funding for more than $23 million in 2006.

WHIP gives landowners assistance in developing and improving wildlife habitat. A request for proposals will be released in early December, with a deadline of Feb. 17, 2007. NRCS provided more than $360,000 of financial assistance for WHIP in 2006.

The Wetlands Reserve Program is a voluntary program offering landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on their property. While it’s a smaller program for Arizona, WRP provided more than $13,000 of assistance in 2006. Applications will be accepted until Feb. 17, 2007.

All three of these programs may provide up to 75 percent of the costs for appropriate projects, and limited resources agricultural producers could receive up to 90 percent. NRCS has 25 field offices in Arizona that can assist customers. For more information, call 602-280-8801 or find your local office contact information at www.az.nrcs.usda.gov/contact.

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