NRCS and KDWP Sign First Contribution Agreement for Technical Services

The first contribution agreement for technical services was signed on Tuesday, August 12, 2003, by Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Harold L. Klaege with Secretary of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) Mike Hayden. Through this contribution agreement, KDWP biologists will provide technical assistance to landowners who want to develop and improve wildlife habitat on private lands.

"This is the first contribution agreement signed in Kansas," said Klaege. "This partnership will provide a much needed assistance for landowners who need technical assistance to meet their wildlife habitat goals."

"With the contribution agreement, we join forces in meeting common goals: providing benefits for wildlife and/or improving wildlife habitat and assisting more landowners," he said.

"In a state where over 97 percent of the land is in private ownership, quality technical assistance to landowners is truly essential," said Hayden. "Our biologists are looking forward to building new relationships with landowners for the long-term benefit of our state's diverse natural resources."

Through this arrangement, 14 KDWP biologists will be available to assist landowners in developing and implementing wildlife conservation plans on their lands.

Klaege explained that producers wanting to improve or develop wildlife habitat would make application for the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) at their local NRCS or conservation district office.  The NRCS then provides the application to a KDWP biologist to work with the landowner in developing and installing a conservation plan.  Technical assistance includes conservation planning, and/or design, layout, installation, and checkout of approved conservation practices.

The WHIP is a voluntary program for people who want to develop and improve wildlife habitat primarily on private land. Through WHIP, NRCS provides both technical assistance and up to 75 percent cost-share assistance to establish and improve fish and wildlife habitat. WHIP agreements between NRCS and the participant generally last from 5 to 10 years from the date the agreement is signed.

WHIP has proven to be a highly effective and widely accepted program across the state. By targeting wildlife habitat projects on all lands and aquatic areas, WHIP provides assistance to conservation-minded landowners who are unable to meet the specific eligibility requirements of other USDA conservation programs.

Additional information on TSP assistance is available at TechReg.  Information on the 2002 Farm Bill is available of the USDA website, the Kansas NRCS website or your local USDA Service Center.