The United States Department of Agriculture announced it is funding 115 projects across the country for $370 million. Arizona is getting nearly $6 million for two types of projects.
The money for these projects is part of the 2014 Farm Bill. According to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, 70 percent of the projects are focused on water quality.
“These projects will improve soil health by reducing erosion,” he said. “We expect and anticipate a reduction of invasive plants and hopefully we will also have a benefit on the forest by reducing wildfire hazards.”
Part of the funding will be used to improve irrigation on more than 1,000 acres near the Verde River. The other project is aimed at restoring grassland in Central Arizona. Al Eiden with the Arizona Game and Fish Department said this project will help wildlife.
“The real benefit of this is we will be able to show an increase in pronghorn [antelope] population and an increase in the bird populations that we are targeting,” Eiden said.
The funding will be dispersed over the course of five years. Vilsack said the department is focused on getting measurable results so that the projects can be extended.
