USDA Invests More Than $325 Million in 42 Regional Conservation Partnership Projects, Announced by Rollins in Iowa
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on October 26 that it will invest more than $325 million in 42 projects through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) to help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners across the country improve their operations and conserve natural resources; of a $30 million set-aside for Tribes, six tribal-involved projects will receive $36.4 million combined.
The RCPP pairs federal funds with private investment. Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Colton Buckley said partners competed for awards of up to $10 million, at least 75 percent of producer-directed funding goes directly to producers, and project agreements have been consolidated and streamlined. Funded tribal projects include $9.04 million for the Yakama Nation's Toppenish Creek project in Washington, $8.29 million for Lummi and Nooksack salmon habitat work, $8.2 million for the Flathead Land Trust's Mission Valley project in Montana and $4.7 million for Ute Mountain Ute irrigation in Colorado.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, speaking at the announcement, pointed to Iowa's Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Program as an RCPP example in the state. Secretary Brooke Rollins said USDA has recently cut red tape in the program so funding reaches the ground faster.
Source: GSM News.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 爱荷华州的农田保护景观（美国农业部自然资源保护局，公共领域，维基共享资源）
