At a Helena news conference, Mark Rey (U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary) announced the availability of up to $2 million to Montanans through the NRCS. The funds will be provided for forest health improvement projects and control of salt cedar and Russian olive in riparian areas. Montanans may apply for the funds beginning July 28, 2008 through August 8, 2008.

"These funds will assist farmers and ranchers in solving critical natural resource problems," Rey said. "We will be offering up to $1 million in cost share initiatives to assist implementation of conservation practices that improve forest health, and up to another $1 million to help control salt cedar and Russian olive along streams and rivers."

Rey said "Voluntary incentive-based programs like this help producers meet their conservation goals and provide important public benefits such as cleaner water, improved air quality, healthier soils, and more abundant wildlife." NRCS will offer up to 75 percent in cost share to help producers install or implement conservation practices on private agricultural land.

Salt Cedar-Russian Olive Control

This opportunity is offered to agricultural producers in the Crow Agency, Northern Cheyenne, and Fort Peck Reservations and the following Montana counties: Wheatland, Stillwater, Carbon, Big Horn, Yellowstone, Musselshell, Golden Valley, Powder River, Treasure, Rosebud, Custer, Prairie, Roosevelt and Valley.

Removal of salt cedar and Russian olive will promote the long-term health of Montana's riparian systems by managing for native trees and species. Practices available for financial assistance include brush management to remove Russian olive and salt cedar, planting of grass and forbs to reduce re-invasion, fencing of riparian area, installation of livestock watering facilities, and installation of pipelines to substitute stream livestock watering.

Forest Health Improvement Projects

Applicants for project funds must be willing to develop or have an approved Forest Management Plan or Forest Stewardship Plan. This opportunity is offered to agricultural producers on the Flathead Reservation and in the following Montana counties: Lewis and Clark, Meagher, Musselshell, Fergus, Powell, Granite, Ravalli, Deer Lodge, Jefferson, Silver Bow, Beaverhead, and Madison.

Conservation practices eligible for cost share on non-industrial private forest land include pre-commercial thinning, slash treatment, tree/shrub plantings in burned areas, and fuel breaks. Other supporting practices such as weed control and deferred grazing may also be funded.

Applicants can receive additional information at the local NRCS office and/or go to www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs.