Application Deadline Set for Grassland Conservation Program

Financial Assistance Available to Protect and Restore Alaska Grazing Areas

Palmer, December 1, 2004–Many of Alaska’s natural grasslands are threatened by urban development, conversion to cropping, invasion by noxious weeds and other development activities. Private landowners who wish to conserve and restore their productive grazing land can apply to receive financial assistance from the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) through the Grassland Reserve Program.

The deadline for submitting complete applications for funding in 2005 is January 28. Applications for the Grassland Reserve Program are available from each of NRCS’s 12 field offices and from Farm Service Agency offices. 

The 2005 funding allocation for the Grassland Reserve Program is $1,149,000.

The program offers opportunities for landowners to obtain conservation easements for eligible grasslands that pay landowners the fair market value of their property minus the grazing land value of the offered acreage.

Both land owners and operators are eligible to apply for long-term rental agreements that last from 10 to 30 years.  A rental fee of $12.50 per acre is paid annually during the term of the agreement.

Cost share funds are also available to assist landowners in restoration of grasslands including lands previously planted in crops.

Additional information on the Grassland Reserve Program and other conservation programs is available at http://www.ak.nrcs.usda.gov/programs. 

Landowners who want specific information regarding program participation or who want to sign up for the Grassland Reserve Program should contact their local NRCS Field Office. Contact information for the 12 field offices in Alaska is available at www.ak.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/fieldoffices.html, or by calling 907-761-7760.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service puts nearly 70 years of experience to work in assisting people to conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment. NRCS works in partnership with local conservation districts serves almost every county in the nation, and the Caribbean and Pacific Basin. Participation in our programs is voluntary.

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