06/26/08 EQIP pilot project for Weiser watershed

The Natural Resources Conservation Service is taking applications for Environmental Quality Incentive Program contracts for a Weiser River watershed pilot project. Its one of six such pilot projects in the nation. Assistant state conservationist Bob Bartholomew says they have several keys areas that are their highest priority. They'll be looking for sage grouse habitat improvement on rangelands and working with streams that are considered to be impaired water bodies. BARTHOLOMEW "The other thing in the watershed is at the lower end there is a groundwater nitrate priority area and this was an opportunity to maybe accelerate some work there. That's primarily the area around Weiser that has a nitrate problem out on the ag land." Bartholomew is urging producers in the Weiser River watershed to apply for part of the half million dollars in funding and unlike regular EQIP contracts there is no rating, ranking and waiting. BARTHOLOMEW "We have a minimum number of points that a person scores and if they reach that minimum they can be given a contract immediately. So it's almost a first come first serve if your plans call for doing some priority resource conservation." There is a half million dollars set aside for projects within one million acres covering three counties. Those contracts have to be signed by August first. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott