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Lesser Prairie-chicken Initiative Works to Improve Lesser Habitat

Signup through February 15, 2013

Eric B. Banks, State Conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Kansas, announced an application period cutoff date for participation in a multi-state initiative designed to improve the lesser prairie-chicken (LEPC) habitat.   Applications are accepted on a continuous basis; however, to be considered for fiscal year 2013 funds, the application cutoff date is February 15, 2013.  The Lesser Prairie-Chicken Initiative (LPCI) promotes the overall health of grazing lands and the long-term sustainability of ranching operations in Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. 

            “Over the past three years, the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Initiative has succeeded in improving and increasing lesser prairie-chicken habitat acres in all five states,” said Banks. 

            “Kansas received an allocation for the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Initiative for fiscal year 2013 of $3 million.  This initiative offers financial assistance for implementing necessary conservation practices for lesser prairie-chicken habitat and development of efficient grazing management systems,” said Banks.

            Funds through this initiative provides producers an opportunity to improve the LEPC habitat while promoting the overall health of grazing lands and the long-term sustainability of Kansas ranching.

            Expired or expiring Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) fields in permanent cover that may benefit LEPC habitat may also be eligible for funding.

            The LPCI is available in 36 Kansas counties:  Barber, Clark, Comanche, Edwards, Ellis, Finney, Ford, Gove, Graham, Grant, Gray, Greeley, Hamilton, Haskell, Hodgeman, Kearny, Kiowa, Lane, Logan, Meade, Morton, Ness, Pawnee, Pratt, Rush, Scott, Seward, Sheridan, Sherman, Stafford, Stanton, Stevens, Thomas, Trego, Wallace, and Wichita. 

            Interested agriculture producers must meet eligibility requirements to qualify.  The unique circumstances and concerns of interested historically underserved ranchers are also addressed by offering a higher payment rate for them.

For more information visit the Kansas NRCS web page atwww.ks.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/lpci/index.html  or contact your local USDA Service Center (listed in the telephone book under United States Government or on the internet at offices.usda.gov).