Welcome to Skagit County

June 5th, 2012

Samish Watershed selected for additional Federal cost-share funding

The Skagit Conservation District has recently been informed that its application for a special pool of Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) funds from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Partnership (PSSRP) has been approved.
The availability of this additional and targeted funding will provide an excellent opportunity for landowners and operators to address some of the most pressing concerns in the Samish Watershed.
EQIP is a voluntary conservation program that promotes environmental quality and agricultural and forestry production as compatible goals. Financial and technical assistance is provided through individual landowner contracts to plan and implement conservation practices on agricultural land and non-industrial private forestland. Also, EQIP helps producers meet federal, state, tribal, and local environmental regulations and goals.

Eligible producers include those within the Samish Watershed who have the desire to address resource concerns on their land that directly impact fish passage, fish habitat enhancement, manure storage management, and water quality in fish bearing habitat. Owners of land in agricultural or forest production, or people engaged in livestock, agricultural, or forest production on eligible land may participate in the program.
NRCS is accepting applications from eligible producers today though June 13, 2012.

For application assistance or for more information regarding Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Partnership/EQIP funding, contact the Mount Vernon NRCS office at 428-7758, ext. 3, or the Skagit Conservation District at 428-4313.