The Kittitas County Conservation District will accept applications starting January 19, 2023, until February 24, 2023 for the “Middle Columbia Steelhead Partnership” Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) project. This RCPP project includes lands in Kittitas County and prioritizes farm and ranch operators who’s property contains streams, wetland or floodplain habitat impacting mid Columbia summer steelhead.
The project can provide financial and technical assistance with on-farm irrigation system improvements, livestock management practices (fences, watering facilities) and riparian and instream habitat. The RCPP funding is provided by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through land management contracts with farmers and ranchers. The contract payment rate pays for a portion of the cost of the contracted conservation practices implemented by the farmer or rancher.
The District is accepting applications immediately. Interested farmers, ranchers or landowners should contact the District at 509-925-3352 or 2211 W Dolarway Road, Ellensburg. Interested parties must meet all requirements of the USDA NRCS. Each applicant must establish themselves as a USDA customer and complete all Farm Service Agency (FSA) eligibility requirements. For more information about those requirements, contact the local USDA Service Center field office at 2211 W Dolarway Road, Suite 6, Ellensburg or 509-925-8585 ext. 115.
RCPP funding is limited, and applications will be subject to a ranking system. This is the first of three annual sign-ups in Kittitas County occuring as part of the Middle Columbia Steelhead Partnership project. The project was one of 85 high projects across the country that was approved for funding through the NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program solicitation for fiscal year 2021. For more information, visit the project webpage at https://www.kccd.net/middlecolumbiarcpp
Original source can be found here.
