The US Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is offering financial and technical assistance for projects that benefit Colorado’s greater sage-grouse habitat. Conservation practices that protect and/or improve GRSG habitat will also benefits grazing management practices. Interested agricultural producers are encouraged to apply for enrollment into the Regional Conservation Protection Partnership program. Applications must be received by NRCS before 5 p.m. June 15 for first project funding period.
The RCPP encourages partners from across the nation to join in efforts with producers to increase the restoration and sustainable use of soil, water, wildlife and related natural resources through installation and maintenance of conservation activities in selected project areas. The specific Greater Outcomes for Greater Sage-Grouse RCPP effort is a joint venture of Partners for Western Conservation, The Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, the states of Nevada and Colorado, and Environmental Incentives; among others.
“We are thrilled to offer this kind of opportunity to ranchers and landowners in Colorado who are particularly interested in improving habitat for the GRSG while benefiting their own land for livestock production. We encourage anyone interested to contact our office to learn more about the Greater Outcomes for Greater Sage-Grouse RCPP project,” said Terry Fankhauser, CCA EVP.
RCPP projects are funded under NRCS’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program. EQIP is a voluntary conservation program that helps agricultural producer implement structural and management conservation practices that optimize environmental benefits on working agricultural land.
RCPP conservation practices and management actions that benefit GRSG may include, but are not limited to, sagebrush establishment, perennial grass and/or forb seeding, riparian or meadow enhancement, cross-fencing, off-stream watering for livestock and wildlife and other potential practices.
Applicants must meet USDA program eligibility requirements for land and person eligibility. Applications must be submitted to the local NRCS field office that service your county must be received by 5 p.m. June 15 for first period funding consideration. To locate the NRCS field office that services your county, please visit, www.co.nrcs.usda.gov and click contact us.
