The California Rice Commission has been working closely with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to establish rules for new California Winter Rice Habitat Incentive Program.
These rules, published in the Department’s Public Solicitation Notice, establish the provisions for receiving and evaluating grower/landowner applications and how the habitat contracts will be administered.
The PSN provides the most detailed information about the program, including how to apply and how the applications will be prioritized for department funding. The PSN and other information can also be found the DFW’s Private Lands Incentive Programs webpage.
The program has start-up funding of $5 million in the current state budget. That amount is expected to initially enroll nearly 142,000 acres in three-year habitat contracts, according to the CRC.
The program will provide $10 per acre per year, and contracts will have terms of three years. Deadline to apply to this program is Feb. 11
CRC plans to hold an informational workshop, Jan. 28, at the Colusa Casino beginning at 10 a.m. For more details, including how to RVSP, visit CalRice.