Natural Resources Conservation Service Accepting Applications for Cache River -Mississippi River Basin Initiative Project through August 1, 2010

Little Rock, Ark., July 9, 2010 – Farmers and landowners in portions of Monroe, Prairie and Woodruff counties in Arkansas have until August 1, 2010, to submit applications to receive cost-share assistance to implement conservation practices through the Cache River - Mississippi River Basin Initiative (MRBI) project.

The Cache River Wetlands Reserve Enhance Program - MRBI project is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers for addressing water quality concerns in the Cache River watershed.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in partnership with The Nature Conservancy has received $3,150,000 in fiscal year 2010 funding for the initiative.

“The goal of this project is to reduce nutrient and sediment loads entering the Mississippi River by managing non-point pollution in the Cache River,” said Mike Sullivan, NRCS state conservationist. 

Funding will be available to eligible landowners through the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP).  The project will focus on reforestation of riparian areas associated with croplands.  Land and producer eligibility, adjusted gross income, and all other program criteria for participation in WRP must be met to participate in this initiative.

Applications may be obtained and filed with the Natural Resources Conservation Service at:

• Monroe County
  Clarendon Field Service Center
  605 Madison Street 
  Clarendon, AR 72029
  (870) 747-3431, ext. 3
   

• Prairie County
  Hazen Field Service Center
  1600 Industrial Street
  Hazen, AR 72064
  (870) 255-4066, ext. 3
   

• Woodruff County
  Augusta Field Service Center
  1274 Hwy. 64E
  Augusta, AR 72006
  (870) 347-2593, ext. 3

Under the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative, NRCS will provide technical assistance and a total of $30 million of financial assistance during federal fiscal year 2010 for 76 projects in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

“The six projects selected in Arkansas will be implemented working with our conservation partners to accelerate conservation treatment to improve water quality, maintain productivity and enhance wildlife habitat,” Sullivan said.  “Additional funding for the six Arkansas projects could exceed $30 million over the 5-year project’s life.”

For more information about MRBI, the Cache River project and a project area map, contact one of the above offices or visit the NRCS Arkansas Web site at: www.ar.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/mrbi.html.