Funds available to help land owners assist river restoration

January 4, 2011

Agricultural landowners along 55 miles of the Kootenai River in Boundary County can help the Kootenai Tribe with a restoration project along the river corridor. The Tribe received special funds from the Natural Resources Conservation Service to restore and enhance fish and wildlife habitat conditions along the river. NRCS will provide financial and technical assistance for conservation work; applications for funding will be taken through January 27. The Kootenai River Valley Cooperative Habitat Restoration project includes bank restoration, riparian planting, grazing management practices and upland wildlife habitat enhancements. “Farmers in the Kootenai Valley can get a 75% cost share for installing conservation practices that will help restore the natural floodplain functions that support a healthy ecosystem,” said Ree Brannon, NRCS District Conservationist in Bonners Ferry. “Examples of the practices include livestock fencing, buffers, stream bank stabilization, wetland restoration, pasture and hay land planting, and weed control.” The project is designed to compliment a partner project, the Kootenai River Habitat Restoration Project, and contribute to the success of an ecosystem-based restoration project along the valley bottom of the 55-mile stretch the Kootenai River. For more information on the Kootenai River Valley Cooperative Habitat Restoration project or to apply for the cost share, please contact the Bonners Ferry NRCS office at (208) 267-3340 or stop by the office located at 6813 El Paso in Bonners Ferry. The signup for this program runs through January 27, 2012.