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Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program <br />This program, administered by the NRCS, provides financial incentives to develop <br />habitat for fish and wildlife on private lands. Through this program, NRCS provides both <br />technical assistance and up to 75 percent cost -share assistance to establish and <br />improve fish and wildlife habitat. WHIP cost -share agreements between NRCS and the <br />participant generally last from 5 to 10 years from the date the agreement is signed. <br />In Oregon the program is used to improve a variety of habitats serve to connect upper <br />and lower watershed habitats, protect and enhance native plant communities, improve <br />salmon habitat, increase biodiversity, and increase habitat for threatened and <br />endangered species. Priority habitat types include: <br />• Instream aquatic (statewide) <br />• Riparian (statewide) <br />• Oak Woodland (Willamette Valley) <br />• Native Grasslands (Columbia Basin) <br />• Native Prairies (Willamette Valley) <br />Migratory Bird Conservation Fund <br />This program provides the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with funding for the acquisition <br />of migratory bird habitat. The are two land acquisition programs within this Fund. One <br />is the purchase of major areas for migratory birds which must be approved by the <br />Migratory Bird Conservation Commission. The second program involves acquisition of <br />small wetland areas with associated uplands. These lands, known as Waterfowl <br />Production Areas, do not require approval of the Commission. <br />Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program <br />This program, administered by the Department of Agriculture Farm Service, is a State - <br />federal conservation partnership program targeted to address specific State and <br />nationally significant water quality, soil erosion and wildlife habitat issues related to <br />agricultural use. The program uses financial incentives to encourage farmers and <br />ranchers to voluntarily enroll in contracts of 10 to 15 years in duration to remove lands <br />from agricultural production. <br />In Oregon, project area consists of all streams across agricultural lands which provide <br />habitat for eight different salmon species and two trout species that have been listed <br />under the Endangered Species Act as endangered or threatened. <br />Open Space Acquisition Funding and Protection Strategies - Draft October 2001 8 <br />