USDA may pay to not irrigate

ARCO - A parching drought is plaguing eastern Idaho farmers.

Every drop of water is needed to make a profit.

But in a couple of years, Idaho farmers may be able to obtain an income by not irrigating a portion of their farmland, courtesy of the federal government.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency is in the early stages of planning a conservation reserve enhancement program for Idaho.

That means Idaho farmers could set aside a portion of their fields and not irrigate it. Instead, they would plant grass and shrubs on the corner of the field, creating a habitat for birds and wildlife and freeing up extra water for other uses.

The plan has its pros and cons, said Wayne Hammon, state executive director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency. He spoke in Arco on Monday before an audience of more than 100.

"You have to realize you're going to lose the use of that ground," Hammon said.

Farmers who participate will sign 15-year contracts and receive an average payment of $118 an acre every year. Additionally, the federal government would pay at least half the cost of planting grasses and bushes to make the land a suitable wildlife habitat.

Besides not using water, farmers also must follow other rules, such as not parking farm equipment on the land.

Input is still needed from the Legislature.

If Idaho becomes a player in the federal program, agencies such as the Idaho Department of Water Resources will help with the monitoring.

Officials are optimistic that the federal program will become one way to replenish the aquifer, said Mike Keckoer, spokesman for the Idaho Department of Water Resources.

"We're in the fifth year of a severe drought," said Keckoer, who was not at the meeting.

The administrative work, along with help from state conservancy groups, would go toward Idaho's 20 percent portion of the cost, Hammon said.

Senate Minority Leader Clint Stennett, D-Ketchum, said the goal of the program is to put federal money to good use in an environmentally beneficial way.

If the Legislature agrees next year that Idaho will participate, farmers should be able to join in early 2006 before spring planting, Hammon said.

But, he warned that there is a 100,000-acre limit statewide. "Not everyone who wants to participate is going to get a chance," he said, noting there are more than 100,000 qualifying acres in Idaho.

Not every farmer was interested in the program after hearing about it.

"I'm not sure it's going to be worth all the hassle," said Carolyn Smith, who farms 120 acres near Moore. "I was thinking about it, but now I don't think I am."

Bingham and Jefferson counties reporter Ben Botkin can be reached at 542-6742.

To learn more

If you are interested, contact your local Farm Service Agency office or log onto http://ww.fsa.usda.gov.

To contact the state executive director of the Farm Service Agency, send an e-mail to wayne.hammon@id.usda.gov.