Farmers, ranchers help Squaw Creek

Farmers and ranchers along Squaw Creek are working to protect the creek as part of a federally funded conservation program.

The Environmental Quality Incentive Program was established in the 1996 Farm Bill to provide a voluntary conservation program for farmers and ranchers who face serious threats to soil, water, and related natural resources.

Todd Peplin, Resource Conservationist for the U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service, is head of EQUIP.

"The program is based on developing a whole farm plan," Peplin said. "We are addressing everything from irrigation, pasture use and management, livestock use and management, range condition, private forest health, soil erosion and wetlands to wildlife habitat.

"When we go out to develop a farm plan, we walk the ground with the landowners, look at all the natural resources in the area, and ask what they see on their ground," Peplin said. "We may address areas that they never thought of that may have a problem or potential problem. From that, we develop alternatives that address each problem."

Peplin said that, based both on financial and environmental aspects, it's really up to the landowners to decide which alternatives suit their needs.

"We come up with maybe three, four, sometimes five or six alternatives," Peplin said. "We let the landowner pick the ones that fit his needs, and with those added to the plan, we have his overall farm plan."

Landowners whose applications for a 1997 EQUIP pilot project were accepted, contracted to finance 25 percent of the costs involved in EQUIP recommendations, with 75 percent financed by the U.S.D.A.

Among those landowners are Roy Runco and Mary Anderson.

"I have 80 acres on the edge of National Forest land," Runco said. "I have cattle and have been flood irrigating my pasture during our short growing season. With EQUIP's assistance, one of the things we're doing is building a holding pond and laying pipe for irrigation water. That change also saves water for downstream use."

Anderson said, "Part of my plan includes stabilization of hillside erosion, reforestation by thinning out junipers and grass seeding for forest health, stream bank repair and improvement for riparian and wild life habitat, and botanical pest control.

"I've been impressed by the people, the guidance, and the support I've had in naking the best decisions," she said.

Landowners can learn more about the EQUIP program through a seven-session workshop to be held every Thursday night from 7 to 9 p.m. at Sisters High School. The workshop begins February 19 and ends April 2.