Upper Yakima River Water Supply and Fish HabitatImprovements RCPP Project 2024-2028
$17.4 Million in Technical and Financial Assistance Awarded to the KCCD for Landowners/Agricultural Producers and Water Management Entities
The Kittitas County Conservation District was awarded funds through the FY2023 RCPP solicitation to implement practices that have a positive cumulative effect on ESA threatened species Mid-Columbia Steelhead, a critical species of cultural and ecological importance and a positive cumulative effect on irrigation water availability. The project prioritizes farm and ranch operators whose irrigated property contains riparian, wetland or floodplain habitat that impact this Steelhead species.
The project can provide financial and technical assistance with on-farm irrigation system improvements, livestock management practices (fences, watering facilities), fish screen and fish passage structures, and riparian and instream habitat improvements in Kittitas County. Funding is provided by the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) through land management contracts with farmers, ranchers and water management entities. The contract payment rate pays for a portion of the cost of the contracted conservation practices implemented by the farmer or rancher. Depending on the project and conservation practices additional cost share funding may be available through the KCCD.
November 22, 2024, Application Due Date Announced for RCPP Cost Share Program
ELLENSBURG, Wash. (October 18, 2024) – The Kittitas County Conservation District will accept producer applications starting October 21, 2024, until November 22, 2024 for the “Upper Yakima River Water Supply and Fish Habitat Improvements” Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) project. This RCPP project includes lands in Kittitas County and prioritizes farm and ranch operators on-farm and delivery irrigation practices and habitat practices to improve water use efficiency, water quality and fish habitat availability.
The project can provide financial and technical assistance with on-farm irrigation system improvements, and riparian and instream habitat. The RCPP funding is provided by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through land management contracts with farmers and ranchers. The contract payment rate pays for a portion of the cost of the contracted conservation practices implemented by the farmer or rancher.
The District is accepting applications immediately. Interested farmers, ranchers or landowners should contact the District at 509-925-3352 or 2211 W Dolarway Road, Ellensburg. Interested parties must meet all requirements of the USDA NRCS. Each applicant must establish themselves as a USDA customer and complete all Farm Service Agency (FSA) eligibility requirements to participate in the program. For more information about those requirements, contact the local USDA Service Center field office at 2211 W Dolarway Road, Suite 6, Ellensburg or 509-925-8585 ext. 115.
RCPP funding is limited, and applications will be subject to a ranking system. This is the first annual sign-up in Kittitas County occurring as part of the Upper Yakima River Water Supply and Fish Habitat Improvements project. The project was one of 81 high priority projects across the country that was approved for more than $1 billion in funding through the NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program solicitation for fiscal year 2023.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Are you a landowner or agricultural producer interested in applying for RCPP assistance?
The FY 2025 sign-up is underway now with a deadline of November 22, 2024.
Contact the KCCD office at 925-3352 or stop by 2211 W Dolarway Road, Ellensburg
The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) is a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land.
By leveraging collective resources and collaborating on common goals, RCPP demonstrates the power of public-private partnerships in delivering results for agriculture and conservation.
RCPP projects fall under two different categories: RCPP Classic and RCPP Grants. RCPP Classic projects are implemented using NRCS contracts and easements with producers, landowners and communities, in collaboration with project partners. Through RCPP Grants, the lead partner must work directly with agricultural producers to support the development of new conservation structures and approaches that would not otherwise be available under RCPP Classic.
Producer and Landowner Eligibility
Once NRCS selects a project and executes an RCPP agreement with a lead partner, agricultural producers may participate in an RCPP project. Producers seeking to carry out conservation activities consistent with a RCPP project in the project’s geographic area can apply directly to KCCD and NRCS.
Land Eligibility
RCPP projects must be carried out on agricultural or nonindustrial private forest land or associated land on which NRCS determines an eligible activity would help achieve conservation benefits (i.e., improved condition of natural resources resulting from implementation of conservation activities).
Eligible conservation activities may be implemented on public lands when those activities will benefit eligible lands as determined by NRCS and are included in the scope of an approved RCPP project.
Partners also contributing funding for this project include:
