Signup Underway for Monterey Bay Conservation Funding

Applications are due to NRCS Offices by December 20th for consideration

SALINAS, Calif., Nov. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California is again taking applications for funding for technical and financial assistance to farmers and ranchers to protect the Monterey Bay Region.  The Monterey Bay Conservation Program is available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to protect water resources in this important region. The application deadline is December 20, 2013.

"Over the past three years, the Monterey Bay Program has provided more than $3.8 million in additional EQIP conservation funding to help farmers and ranchers protect water resources and wildlife in the Monterey Bay region," said NRCS Assistant State Conservationist Kay Joy Barge. 

This program was created in 2011 as a result of the Obama Administration announcing that the Monterey Bay region was selected as one of NRCS's three special America's Great Outdoors initiative areas. NRCS worked directly with local partners to determine how best to invest additional technical and financial resources in this region.

NRCS staff will work with farmers and ranchers to develop conservation plans to improve soil health, wildlife habitat and water quality, and address excessive runoff and flooding on farms, ranches and private non-industrial forestland.  Applications will be ranked according to conservation benefits addressed in the conservation plan.

The Monterey Bay Conservation Program Area includes counties and portions of counties that drain into Monterey Bay. The eligible counties or portions of counties include: Monterey, Santa Barbara, San Benito, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, and San Luis Obispo. 

A map showing the Monterey Bay Conservation Program boundary is available on the NRCS website at http://go.usa.gov/WyE4. Interested farmers and ranchers should visit or contact their local NRCS office for additional information and to submit an application.

NRCS has provided leadership in a partnership effort to help America's private landowners and managers conserve their soil, water and other natural resources since 1935. For more information on NRCS, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov.

SOURCE USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service