Water Quality Improvement Funding for Park and Gallatin Counties

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Montana is offering assistance opportunities for agricultural producers through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Regional Conservation Partnership Program through two specific initiatives. While NRCS accepts applications for these programs year-round, producers and landowners should apply by the Dec. 3, 2021, ranking date to be considered for this year’s funding.

The Shields River watershed received special funding as part of the National Water Quality Initiative, which targets conservation practices in watersheds to improve water quality. This initiative will work to reduce sediment and agricultural related nutrient loads and improve riparian function in the Shields River watershed located in Park County.

The Gallatin Valley RCPP project is led by the Gallatin Valley Land Trust and focuses conservation efforts in the rapidly developing Gallatin Valley. The project concentrates efforts to purchase conservation easements from willing landowners and to complete land management activities in the valley to protect water quality, prime farmland and reduce urban sprawl. The current ranking date applies to land management activities for farmers and ranchers to complete conservation projects on their properties.