USDA ASSISTS KLAMATH BASIN FARMERS

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore., Aug. 7, 2002-The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the first Klamath Basin Environmental Quality Incentives Program contract under the 2002 Farm Bill was signed today at an on-farm ceremony near Klamath Falls, Ore.

Jack and Lynda Baker were the first Klamath Basin farmers to enter into a contract with USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for the voluntary conservation program that promotes environmental quality. Under the program, the Bakers will receive technical and cost-share assistance to improve the efficiency of their irrigation and livestock watering operations and will re-seed their pastures to increase forage. In addition, they will fence riparian areas along the Lost River to exclude livestock and re-establish vegetation for wildlife habitat.

"Getting assistance to the farmers and ranchers in the Klamath Basin has been a top priority for the Bush Administration," said Mack Gray, USDA's deputy under secretary for natural resources and environment, during the ceremony. "This assistance will help people here enhance water quality, reduce water usage by increasing irrigation efficiencies, help them keep more moisture in their soil and control weeds so they can grow a good crop or improve pasture forage."

Currently, more than 150 producers in the Klamath River Basin in Oregon and California have signed up for the EQIP program and more are expected throughout the coming years. These conservation plans will be used to help landowners develop more efficient on-farm water, pasture and riparian management techniques.

In March 2002, President Bush established a cabinet-level Klamath River Basin Federal Working Group to address concerns raised by farmers, ranchers, fishermen, tribes and others affected by the difficult conditions in Klamath. The Working Group will work with farmers and ranchers to implement these Farm Bill conservation programs.

USDA's Farm Service Agency, NRCS and the local conservation districts provided more than $20 million in technical and financial assistance to Klamath Basin farmers in the spring of 2001. The money helped landowners establish soil cover crops, provide emergency water for livestock; and deal with economic, health and safety issues associated with wind-blown dust and the drought-induced crisis.

NRCS also worked with the local conservation districts to develop producer workshops to help local farmers get the assistance they need. More workshops have been scheduled for this month.

"I know that the contract we've signed today will be the first of many such contracts with other local producers," Gray said. "Through this program, a lot of good conservation will be delivered thanks to the conservation districts, the NRCS staff and landowners like the Bakers."

For more information on EQIP, other conservation programs and the farm bill, visit the USDA website at http://www.usda.gov .

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