NRCS Sets Funding Application Cutoff for May 21 for Prairie Pothole Wetlands and Honey Bee Pollinators

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Montana has set a May 21, 2021, application cutoff for agricultural operators to be considered for the next conservation program funding cycle. The cutoff date applies to the Prairie Pothole Water Quality and Wildlife Program and the Honey Bee Pollinator Initiative, both funded through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

“NRCS provides funding and technical assistance to help farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners implement conservation practices that provide environmental benefits to help sustain their operations,” said Tom Watson, NRCS State Conservationist for Montana. “Conservation work focused on local outcomes with the support of local partners and land managers achieves meaningful conservation across a landscape.”

The Prairie Pothole Water Quality and Wildlife Program is focused on unmanipulated wetlands of two acres or less within working cropland as identified on the National Wetland Inventory. NRCS will work with applicants to determine which wetlands are eligible based on the National Wetlands Inventory. Once the wetlands are deemed eligible, producers will then decide which of the three available levels of management is appropriate for their operation.

Management Level 1: Implement conservation cover and permanent vegetation on wetlands that are wholly or partially in cropland.

Management Level 2: Cease cropping, maintain wetland hydrology that provides adequate forage and cover in areas where normal cropland production restricts that growth.

Management Level 3: Crops and annual vegetation will not be harvested during the primary nesting season.

Honey Bee Pollinators: Combats future honey bee declines by implementing conservation practices that provide forage for honey bees while enhancing habitat for other pollinators and wildlife. This initiative targets agricultural locations within 3.5 miles of a documented apiary.

To apply, and for more information on EQIP, please contact your local NRCS Field Office.