Bend Bulletin: Federal grant coming to Central Oregon for soil and water conservation
Agricultural management in the Deschutes Basin has been given a boost by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, which recently announced a $509,992 grant for water and soil enhancement projects.
The funds, to be distributed by the Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District, will be available to agricultural producers in Deschutes and Jefferson counties.
Projects aim to improve wildlife habitat, soil health and water quality and quantity on 5,000 acres of land in the Deschutes Basin. Irrigation system improvements are expected to be a key component of the available funds.
Past projects coordinated by the district include improving on-farm efficiency, piping of shared private canals and conversions from flood irrigation to sprinkler systems. In urban areas, projects support community gardens, convert to drought-resistant landscapes and improve native pollinator ecosystems.
Erin Kilcullen, Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District manager, said details on exactly how the funds will be used are not yet available. Discussions with district partners are expected next week.
The decision to award the grant was announced by joint release from U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley. The award is part of a $14.7 million funding effort by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for 27 grants in 21 states.
In addition to the Central Oregon project, $921,853 was awarded to the National Audubon Society to expand the Audubon Conservation Ranching program in California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. The project will restore 1,500 acres of ranchland habitat.
A third project that includes Oregon is a $323,348 grant for rangeland improvements in Wallowa County.
