USDA Conservation Funds Available for Lower Grand River Partnership

EAST LANSING, Dec. 15, 2017— A partnership including the U.S.. Department of Agriculture and Grand Valley Metro Council is making conservation financial assistance available to improve wildlife habitat and water quality on the lower Grand River.

The Lower Grand River Watershed Habitat Restoration and Farmland Conservation Project was selected for the USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Project in 2017. The project is now accepting applications for conservation financial assistance with the first cut-off date for applications set for Jan. 19, 2018. Landowners and agricultural producers in designated watersheds in Kent, Montcalm, Newaygo and Ottawa counties are eligible to apply at their local office of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Conservation financial assistance through the Lower Grand Partnership Project is available for implementing a variety of designated practices to improve water quality and wildlife habitat. Some of these practices include; utilizing cover crops, conservation crop rotation, establishing vegetation for wildlife and pollinator habitat, vegetative filter strips and field borders, forest stand improvement, grassed waterways and nutrient management plans.

In addition to the USDA and the Grand Valley Metro Council, other partners in the Lower Grand River Watershed Habitat Restoration and Farmland Conservation Project include the Kent Conservation District, the Rogue River Watershed Partners, Trout Unlimited and local government agencies.

For more information about conservation financial assistance available through the Lower Grand River Watershed Habitat Restoration and Farmland Conservation Project, visit the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Michigan website at www.mi.nrcs.usda.gov.