The Gallatin Valley has won $3.7 million in federal funding for conservation projects.
The 2014 Farm Bill set aside $370 million nationwide to pay for agricultural and other conservation easements, and conservation projects like stream bank restoration through the Natural Resources Conservation Service, or NRCS. The Gallatin Valley Land Trust was one of hundreds of applicants for the money, and the only project in Montana selected this year.
Eric Sufferage with the NRCS says the agency has offered similar funding since 1996.
"This program itself, though, is new. Instead of throwing 100% federal dollars to these projects, we’re going to look to leverage those funds. The agency had a goal nationally of, we want to see at least a one-to-one match."
That means the federal money going to Gallatin Valley will be matched by $3.7 million in locally-raised funds. Landowners can apply to use the funding on their property over the next five years.
