01/26/05 EQIP money for species of concern

The Natural Resources Conservation Service has more than 13 million dollars in Environmental Quality Incentives Program money for Idaho. Bob Bartholomew says they earmarked one million dollars for farmers and ranchers who install conservation practices that help species at risk or species of concern. BARTHOLOMEW "Once something gets on the Endangered Species list then funds tend to roll in. But there's not a whole lot of funding that addresses things before its too late." That's the whole idea, help the wildlife and plant species now so they don't end up on the list. Bartholomew says consultation with state and federal wildlife agencies resulted in 40 species that need habitat improvements. Your find fish and six species of snail listed. BARTHOLOMEW "Bull trout, salmon, steelhead. There are about a half a dozen cutthroat trout." You'll find sage grouse on the list, the Thompson big ear bat and plenty of plants, mostly from the Palouse region. BARTHOLOMEW "Plants like Indian valley sedge, Jessica's aster, Palouse goldenweed, Idaho pestimen." NRCS will take applications for the cost share program until February 28th. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott