_{Thanks to Anne Saxby and the Hood River SWCD for compiling and sharing this resource summary}

Landowner Assistance Programs for Conservation Work

December 2005

More information about these funding programs is available by visiting the websites listed or by contacting your local watershed council. 

Land Easement and Retirement programs

NRCS: Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) 

The program provides an opportunity for landowners to receive financial incentives to enhance wetlands in exchange for retiring marginal land from agriculture.  There are three enrollment options:  Permanent Easement, a 30-year Easement, and Restoration Cost-Share Agreement.

For more information on this NRCS-administered program, go to:  www.or.nrcs.usda.gov.

NRCS: Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) 

CREP is a program that helps agricultural producers protect environmentally sensitive land, decrease erosion, and restore wildlife habitat, and safeguard ground and surface water.  By using a partnership between producers, tribal, state and federal governments, sensitive areas are enrolled under a rental agreement to protect the resources on that site.

See www.fsa.usda.gov for more information as this is a Farm Service Agency administered program.

Natural Resource Protection/Enhancement

NRCS: Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) 

Farmers and ranchers may receive financial and technical help to install or implement structural and management conservation practices on eligible agricultural land.  Contracts can be 1 to 10 years in length with a cost share of up to 75% (generally falling into the 50% cost-share range). 

A sub-category to EQIP is the Conservation Innovation Grants.  These are competitive grant awards to stimulate innovative approaches to environmental enhancement and protection, in conjunction with agricultural production. For more information, go to:  www.or.nrcs.usda.gov.

NRCS: Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) 

WHIP provides technical and financial assistance to landowners and others to develop upland, wetland, riparian, and aquatic habitat areas on their property.  A noted difference between WHIP and other programs such as EQIP is that each application is ranked at the state level and is competing with other applications from across the state.  For more information, go to:  www.or.nrcs.usda.gov.

ODFW: Access and Habitat Program (A&H)

The goals of this program, funded solely by hunting licenses, are to 1) increase wildlife habitat, 2) help mitigate for damage caused by wildlife, and 3) increase hunters’ access.  Project grants are typically under $100,000 and no match is required.  Applications are accepted quarterly, and decisions are made by the F&W Commission.  Contact your local ODFW wildlife biologist or state program coordinator for assistance in drafting a proposal. Contact information at:  http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/directory/regional_offices.asp

ODFW: Landowner Incentive Program (LIP)

A partnership among federal and state governments and private landowners, the LIP funds projects that enhance, protect or restore habitats that benefit at-risk species on privately owned lands. Oregon’s at-risk species include those with status under the federal Endangered Species Act and Oregon’s Endangered Species Act. Other at-risk species are those on the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s sensitive species list, those on a wildflower list compiled by the Oregon Department of Agriculture, and those with certain Oregon Natural Heritage-designated conservation status ranks.  Maximum grant award is $150,000; a typical award is $50,000.  There is a 25% match requirement.  For more information, contact LIP Coordinator Bruce Campbell at 503-947-6099 or visit the website at www.dfw.state.or.us.

NRCS:  Conservation Security Program (CSP)

CSP rewards those who already act as model conservationists rather than helping producers to fix resource problems.  It also pays qualified producers to do further environmental enhancements.   2006 Watersheds in Oregon are the McKenzie, Upper Grande Ronde, and Klamath.  For more information, go to:  www.or.nrcs.usda.gov.

NRCS:  Grasslands Reserve Program (GRP)

A program to help landowners and operators restore and protect grassland, including rangeland, pastureland, shrubland, and certain other lands, while maintaining the areas as grazing lands.  Emphasis is on support for working grazing operations.  For more information, go to:  www.or.nrcs.usda.gov.

OWEB: Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board grant program

OWEB provides a variety of grants.  Project types include restoration, land acquisitions, education/outreach, technical assistance, and local innovation.  All grants require at least 25% match.  Grant application deadlines vary by project type; check OWEB’s website at http://www.oregon.gov/OWEB/GRANTS for detailed information and applications. 

OWEB’s small grant program is designed for on-the-ground restoration projects.  Grants up to $10,000 are available, with a 25% match.  Applications can be submitted six times a year, and are evaluated and selected by a local review team.  Applications and information on the small grant program can be obtained at  http://www.oregon.gov/OWEB/GRANTS/smgrant_main.shtml

US Forest Service: Title II program

Under Title II of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000, funds were allocated to watershed restoration projects.   Project types include road/trail maintenance, forest health, watershed restoration, fish and wildlife habitat improvements, noxious weed control and native species reestablishment.  There is no match requirement, but projects must provide a benefit to natural resources on federal land.  Project proposals must be submitted to USFS by April 1 of each year.  For more information see http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/projects/payments-to-counties/index.shtml.  Continued funding for this program is dependent on re-authorization by Congress.

The Act also authorized County Projects under Title III.  Project types include search and rescue operations, community service work camps, easement purchases, forest-related education, fire prevention, county planning, and community forestry.   Project proposals must be submitted by April 1 each year.  For  more information see http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/projects/payments-to-counties/index.shtml.  Continued funding for this program is also dependent on re-authorization by Congress.

USFWS: Partners for Fish & Wildlife (PFW)

This USFWS program can provide up to 50% of the cost, with a maximum of $25,000 per project, for work that improves habitat for fish and wildlife that are listed on the Endangered Species Act, or are proposed for listing.  Project types include restoring fish passage, screening diversions, riparian restoration, fencing, off-stream water troughs and wetlands restoration.  The program also funds improvements to habitat used by migratory songbirds and other non-aquatic wildlife.  Application period is open; contact program coordinator Timmie Mandish at Timmie_Mandish@fws.gov or 503-231-6179.

ODF: Forest Land Enhancement Program (FLEP)

This Oregon Dept. of Forestry program provides cost-share funds to develop forest management plans and help pay for planting, site preparation, brush release, moisture conservation, pre-commercial thinning, and fuel reduction.  There is a 10 acre minimum requirement, and funds can not be used for planting and site preparation as part of state requirements for a harvest operation.  Contact your local ODF office for more information.  Regional contact information is available at  http://egov.oregon.gov/ODF/offices.shtml.

ODF: Bark Beetle Mitigation (BBM)

This Oregon Dept. of Forestry program provides cost-share funds for pre-commercial thinning, slash treatment and burning of overstocked conifer stands susceptible to, or showing signs of, bark beetle infestation.  There is a 10 acre minimum. Contact your local ODF office for more information.  Regional contact information is available at http://egov.oregon.gov/ODF/offices.shtml 

National Fire Plan Grants

This program provides funds for fuels treatment adjacent to structures as well as surrounding landscape.  Grant funds are only available for specified treatment areas. For more information see http://www.fireplan.gov/.

Instream and Streamside Improvements

ODFW: Fish Screening and Passage Program

Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife will provide up to 60% of the project costs when installing a fish screen, up to $75,000.  An Oregon State tax credit is also available.  Dam removal and fish passage components can also be funded, but not fish screen maintenance or culvert replacement.  Applications are accepted at any time for ODFW’s screen shop constructed projects and for pump screens.  Privately constructed large project applications are accepted once each year; Nov. 1, 2005 was the most recent deadline.  These would include large diversion screens such as used by irrigation districts.  ODFW can access federal funds to help with the cost-share, but they like to have the water user put in at least 10% of the match.  Contact information at:  http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/directory/regional_offices.asp

OWRD and OWT: Instream Leasing, Conserved Water Program and Waiver of Fees and/or Mapping Requirements for Fish-friendly Transfers

The Instream Leasing Program provides a voluntary means to aid the restoration and protection of streamflows. This arrangement provides benefits both to water right holders and to instream values by providing water users with options that protect their water rights while leasing water for instream benefits. Water users who are at risk of forfeiture of their water rights due to non-use may find instream leases to be a good management option. Instream water rights provide flows for fish and wildlife, scenic values, and improved water quality.

 The Conserved Water Program allows a water user who conserves water to use a portion of the conserved water on additional lands, lease or sell the water, or dedicate the water to instream use.   The Conserved Water Program allows water users to use up to 75% of the saved water, if at least 25% is left instream. Contact your local watermaster for more information.

Oregon Water Trust (OWT) is a nonprofit organization that restores streamflow by compensating willing landowners to leave all or a portion of their water right instream in lieu of using it for out-of-stream purposes. Oregon Water Trust may compensate landowners for their water rights leased or transferred instream, in high priority basins. Contact the  Oregon Water Trust at (503) 226-9055 for more information.

The Oregon State Noxious Weed grant program is overseen by the Oregon State Weed Board.  The program is part of the Plant Division of the Oregon Department of Agriculture.  Information can be obtained from the ODA website under the Plant Division, or call Jo Davis, Noxious Weed Control Program Assistant at 503-986-4621 or email jdavis@oda.state.or.us.

The US Fish & Wildlife Service has various grants.  Information about them, and a host of other grants can be learned at http://www.fws.gov/grants/. 

This list is by no means comprehensive, but meant to help interested landowners and agencies by directing them to potential sources of funding for a variety of watershed restoration projects.  Other agencies and the internet can provide additional information.

Compiled by Anne Saxby, Manager (12/15/2005)

Hood River SWCD

3007 Experiment Station Rd.

Hood River, OR 97031