Program Conserves Water, Enhances Habitat

The Idaho Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program would leave water in the Eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer, and turn thousands of acres into potential wildlife habitat. The state and federal program would enroll 100,000 acres of cropland in a program similar to the federal conservation reserve program, taking the land out of production as an effort to reduce water consumption from the aquifer by 200,000 acre-feet per year. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game wants to hitch its habitat improvement program to the CREP program by offering participating farmers an enhanced seed mixture that would benefit wildlife, Fish and Game biologist Don Kemner told the Idaho Fish and Game Commission Wednesday October 4. Landowners who join the program will get a basic mix of seed for their land. There is state and federal money enough for 100,000 acres. For those interested, Fish and Game will provide additional seed to improve the mix for wildlife habitat to interested landowners. Though not all the land enrolled may make suitable wildlife habitat, up to half would likely fit the criteria, Kemner said. Already 5,100 acres have been signed up and another 230 applications are pending with another 15,000 acres, he said. Program officials hope to have 100,000 signed up within two years. The flood of applications has created a backlog, but 70,000 to 80,000 acres already appears to meet the criteria for inclusion in the state conservation program, Southeast Region Commissioner Randall Budge noted. And much of that land is in the midst of other agricultural lands. If the wildlife habitat is improved on those parcels to provide nesting and brood habitat, that would benefit hunting opportunities on the surrounding ag lands, he said. "I want to ensure farmers know that additional help is available to also do something for wildlife with additional seed," he said. Landowners who join in the habitat improvement program may become more eligible for inclusion in the Access Yes! program, Kemner said. Access Yes! is a Fish and Game program that compensates property owners who allow hunter and angler access on or across their private land.