Coeur d'Alene Basin Agriculture to Wetland Conversion Easements

Federal Program: Department of the Interior, United States Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), Idaho Fish and Wildlife Office, Spokane, Washington Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.658 Authorizing Legislation: The Coeur d'Alene Basin Natural Resource Trustees acting on behalf of the public have finalized a Restoration Plan/Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision, which authorizes the expenditure of settlement funds to restore, replace, rehabilitate, and/or acquire the equivalent of natural resources injured by the release of hazardous substances. This project will conserve agricultural properties in the Coeur d'Alene River Basin, Idaho by establishing perpetual conservation easements, which will allow for conversion to natural functioning wetlands. This will in turn provide habitat for migratory waterfowl and other wetland dependent wildlife. The agricultural properties are drained wetlands that currently support grazing and limited crop production. This aligns with the Secretary's priorities by improving infrastructure that will allow for more efficient water management and reduce risks of flooding while providing wildlife habitat. This project award is for $1,244,000 and is a five-year cooperative agreement with a timeframe from November, 2018 to November, 2023. The Service will be substantially involved through continued negotiations with private landowners, awarding and managing agreements necessary to execute the conservation easements, and acting as liaison to the Trustee Council. This is a single source selection due to a pre-established relationship with private landowners who have previously committed to selling a conservation easement to this particular entity. This organization has already invested a substantial amount of time and resources to develop this relationship and opportunity.