Funds available to Nevada ranchers affected by wildfires

Nevada ranchers affected by wildfire can apply for special funds to help restore private rangeland. The deadline to apply is Sept. 28.

"We are offering agricultural producers whose private rangelands have been damaged by wildfires an opportunity to participate in a special Fire Rehabilitation Program," said Richard Vigil, state conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

According to Vigil, private landowners who sustained damage from wildfire in 2007 may be eligible for cost-share practices or a one-time incentive payment up to $25 per acre. This payment is intended to partially reimburse landowners for replacing fence, re-establishing livestock water facilities, grade stabilization, stream bank protection and allowing for the recovery of natural vegetation through prescribed grazing.

"Producers must meet certain eligibility requirements," said Rod Dahl, NRCS resource specialist, "and the information needed to determine eligibility must be submitted to the local NRCS office by Sept. 28."

Dahl said producers must agree to defer grazing for at least one season to receive funding and no more than 5,000 acres of grazing land can be enrolled per agricultural operation in this special initiative.

For information, contact the local NRCS office or go to www.nv.nrcs.usda.gov.