From staff reports OKLAHOMA CITY – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is launching a $1 million special disaster fund through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, for Oklahoma producers affected by recent wildfires.
“The Natural Resources Conservation Service in Oklahoma is prepared to assist landowners with their efforts to address resource concerns caused by the recent wildfires,” said Jeanne Hamilton, NRCS State Conservationist in Oklahoma. “Loss of vegetation not only affects forages for livestock and wildlife habitat, but it can lead to increased soil loss due to erosion from wind and water. We know many of our Oklahoma producers were hit hard by this disaster and we are here to help.”
Along with several counties in Texas, seven Oklahoma counties – Beaver, Dewey, Ellis, Harper, Roger Mills, Texas and Woods counties – were affected by wildfires earlier this year.
Eligible wildfire disaster relief includes critical area planting, fencing, groundwater testing, heavy use area protection, livestock pipeline, prescribed grazing, pumping plant, water facility, water well, well decommissioning and woody residue treatment.
Applications must be submitted to USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service by May 10, 2024.
For more details or assistance, producers should contact their local USDA service center.