Federal Changes to Water Quality Program Grants and Loans that Increase Riparian Buffers

Recently some Eastern Washington ranchers or dairy producers may have noticed an uptick in the attention they've been receiving from the Department of Ecology. Today we'll visit with Washington Cattlemen's Association Executive Vice President Jack Field to learn more.

Regardless of which state you reside in -- if you have taken an EPA Water Quality Program grant or loan, you need to be aware of new federally required changes to minimum riparian buffer widths that are now in effect. Field says it is critical to realize the potential strings that may be attached to federal grants or loans surrounding water quality.

Field: "EPA is in the process and will be implementing new buffer requirements that will come into play for individuals that accept any federal dollars. The concern that the livestock industry has that these ties will be made to NRCS thus effectively tying the hands and probably stopping the great work that NRCS has done through EQUIP and and ESP and that type of thing."

In the last week or so there has been questions about whether NRCS grants would be considered in this increase of riparian buffer widths. However, with the government being shuttered for the past two weeks, no clear answers have been available.

Field urges ranchers

Field: "It is very important for ranchers to understand that when they sign up for a grant or when they accept cost-share -- each individual needs to understand and access their own level of comfortable and their level of risk and make an educated decision in which programs, if any, they will participate."