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SALT LAKE CITY — The state's efforts to fight catastrophic wildfires and a collaborative partnership to improve a northern Utah stream and irrigation practice received a nearly $3 million infusion from the federal government this week.
The money for the two projects — selected from more than 600 initial applications — is part of $370 million being made available through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program.
This year’s "high impact" projects in Utah will accomplish a wide diversity of agricultural and natural resource goals, from statewide wildfire suppression to stream restoration and irrigation efficiency along the Bear River that benefit sensitive wildlife species.
This projects are part of the new Farm Bill and will engage hundreds of partners from communities, conservation districts, agribusiness, non-government organizations, for- and non-profit organizations, state and federal agencies and tribal governments. In addition to the U.S. Department of Agriculture funds, partners’ will contribute an estimated $400 million, more than doubling the agency's investment.
(Regional Conservation Partnership Program) puts our partners in the driver's seat. Projects are led locally, and demonstrate the value of strong public-private partnerships that deliver solutions to tough natural resource challenges.
–Dave Brown, USDA
“RCPP puts our partners in the driver’s seat,” said Dave Brown, USDA’S Natural Resources Conservation Service state conservationist in Utah. “Projects are led locally, and demonstrate the value of strong public-private partnerships that deliver solutions to tough natural resource challenges.” Each project has a lead partner that coordinates implementation of the best management practices.
In Utah, the two projects and partners that were selected and funded are:
• Catastrophic Wildfire Reduction Strategy — $1.7 million. This is a statewide, locally-led initiative aimed at reducing the size, intensity and frequency of catastrophic wildfires in the state in conjunction with the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands.
Regional working groups identify priority areas based on a risk assessment and then select activities to mitigate against wildfires. Local land owners may be approached to plant fuel breaks, restore riparian areas and alter grazing practices. The effort is in support of the National Cohesive Wildfire Management Strategy and Gov. Gary Herbert’s Catastrophic Wildfire Reduction Strategy Initiative.
• Upper Bear River Stream Restoration and Irrigation Efficiency — $1.2 million. Trout Unlimited will lead a collaborative partnership of 14 organizations that will continue and expand on the conservation work on the East Fork and Upper Bear River in Utah and Wyoming. The intent of the project is to improve irrigation water management and efficiency, fish passage, and stream flows to benefit native fishes and other aquatic and riparian-dependent species as the primary resource concerns.
Natural Resources Conservation Service officials say the project will focus on five irrigation diversions and canals, including the installation of improved irrigation diversion structures with fish screening capabilities and pipelines to replace open canals.
Part of the Bear River drainage includes Cutler Reservoir in Cache Valley, where nutrient pollution from agricultural runoff has been a concern for state water quality officials.
Trout Unlimited is heading up the project to ensure thriving trout populations in the area, which is popular for sports fishing.
