Conservation in California Gets Boost from New RCPP Funding

DAVIS, Calif., Jan. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has selected five new projects in California for funding through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). These projects will bring more than $23.7 million of new conservation funding to the state and new opportunities for the NRCS, conservation partners and agricultural producers to work together.

"Partner-driven RCPP projects address some of the most important conservation issues facing farmers and ranchers," said acting NRCS State Conservationist Ray Dotson. "This year, five outstanding projects in California will focus on flooding, water conservation, water quality, tree mortality, soil health, wildlife and much more."

Each project has its own set of conservation benefits, specific goals and management practices. Over the coming weeks, NRCS California staff will work with representatives from the selected projects to develop project specific plans to implement the work.

California Projects

Palo Verde Valley Water Conservation RCPP
Proposed NRCS Investment: $3,722,000. Lead partner: Palo Verde Resource Conservation District

McMullin On-Farm Flood Capture Phase 2 Expansion
Proposed NRCS Investment: $6,990,000. Lead Partner: Raisin City Water District

Crisis to Opportunity: Sierra Nevada Tree Mortality
Proposed NRCS Investment: $10,000,000. Lead Partner: California Association of Resource Conservation Districts

Salinas River Riparian Enhancement Program
Proposed NRCS Investment: $1,763,000.  Lead Partner: Resource Conservation District of Monterey County

Stormwater Management Partnership
Proposed NRCS Investment: $1,249,000. Lead Partner: Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County.

NRCS selects RCPP projects designed by local partners specifically for their state or region. Eligible partners include private companies, universities, non-profit organizations, local and tribal governments and others joining with agricultural and conservation organizations and producers to invest money, labor and materials to complete proposed initiatives.

Since 2014, NRCS and its partners have invested at least $2.4 billion through RCPP, which was created by the 2014 Farm Bill. A longer version of this new releases, with project descriptions, can be found at https://go.usa.gov/xnvmP.

NRCS has provided leadership in a partnership effort to help America's private landowners and managers conserve their soil, water and other natural resources since 1935. For more information on NRCS, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov.

SOURCE USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service