Conservation Funding Available for Management on Lane County Orchards and Private Forests Until May 15
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact information:
Tom Burnham, NRCS District Conservationist, (503) 414-3236, Tom.Burnham@or.usda.gov

EUGENE, OR, APRIL 13, 2009 – Funding is available for management activities on orchards and forest lands through the 2009 Lane County Air Quality Initiative. The program is a special signup of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) that runs from April 13 until May 15, 2009.

Through the signup, Lane County orchardists and private, non-industrial forest landowners may submit an EQIP application requesting funding and planning assistance to remove, chip or otherwise treat woody debris and prunings on orchards and forest lands. Practices for forest lands also include pre-commercial thinning, tree and shrub pruning, and fuel and fire breaks.

The purpose of the program is to help landowners and growers protect air quality from the impacts of burning orchard clippings and forest debris. The program aims to reduce air particulates generated by the use of fire as a management tool. The program also emphasizes activities that reduce wildfire hazards.

EQIP is a voluntary program of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Through EQIP, growers and landowners apply for assistance to plan and install measures to protect natural resources on working agricultural and forest lands. Those who enroll into the program receive funding and professional expertise for measures that protect natural resources while ensuring sustainable production.

Additional information, payment rates, and application materials can be found on the NRCS Web site at: www.or.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/air.

For questions or to submit an application, please contact the Lane County NRCS office:

USDA-NRCS
780 Bailey Hill Road; Suite 5
Eugene, Oregon 97402
Phone: (541) 465-6443 ext. 3

More information about EQIP is online at: www.or.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/EQIP

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