VENEMAN ANNOUNCES $7 MILLION FOR CONSERVATION EFFORTS IN THE KLAMATH BASIN

WASHINGTON, March 26, 2003-Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today released $7 million to assist farmers in the Klamath Basin in Oregon and California. The funds are part of a $50 million fund for Klamath farmers made available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) authorized in the 2002 Farm Bill.

"The Bush Administration is working to assist farmers and ranchers in the Klamath Basin," said Veneman. "This funding will help producers accelerate implementation of conservation practices on the ground this year."

Eligible farmers will receive financial and technical assistance to improve the efficiency of on-farm irrigation systems and institute other measures that improve ground and surface water conservation. Conservation practices will result in net savings in groundwater or surface water resources on the agricultural operation of the producer.

In March 2002, President Bush established a cabinet-level Klamath River Basin Federal Working Group that includes the Departments of Interior, Agriculture and Commerce to address concerns raised by farmers, ranchers, fishermen, tribes and others affected by the difficult conditions in Klamath. As part of the working group, USDA is working with farmers and ranchers to implement a variety of conservation programs that are available through the department.

For example, the Natural Resources Conservation Service is working with a number of landowners to improve wetland and wildlife habitat through the Wetlands Reserve Program. This includes an additional 2,500 acres enrolled in permanent easements during 2002. The projects are located on Upper Klamath Lake and the Williamson River, both major water sources of the Klamath Basin. These projects will benefit water quality and improve wildlife habitat, thereby providing benefits to the endangered Lost River and Shortnose Sucker fish.

"Through the combined efforts of the Klamath Basin producers, local conservation districts and USDA, on-farm conservation measures will be implemented to reduce water demand and increase irrigation efficiencies," said USDA Deputy Under Secretary Mack Gray.

Farmers interested in applying for the EQIP funds may submit an application to their local NRCS office or USDA Service Center. Applications also are available online at www.nrcs.usda.gov . Program participants will receive funding when the conservation practices in their EQIP contract are completed.

Information related to the Klamath Basin area is also available from the Department of Interior, www.doi.gov, and the Department of Commerce, www.doc.gov .

#