with the Endangered Species Act through a conser- vation plan while continuing their normal farm and ranch operations. The conservation plan will outline practices good for the prairie chicken, but will also al- low livestock grazing. The Working Lands for Wildlife program is not a contract like EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program). It is a conservation plan including practices outlined in the biological opinion that allows for compliance with the Endangered Spe- cies Act. The plan also provides a letter of predictability from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, providing protec- tion from incidental take through November 2043.” An outline of the practices and conservation mea-
sures on which the plan will be written is part of the Biological Opinion, a document agreed to by NRCS
NRCS cannot divulge the information in a
conservation plan to other parties.
and USFWS. There is a cost-share aspect that can be attached to the conservation plan, if desired. NRCS provides fi nancial assistance for conservation practices that promote healthy grazing lands and benefi t the LPC and other wildlife through the Lesser Prairie Chicken Initiative which is connected to EQIP.
Writing and managing the plan “There are 4 steps to writing a conservation plan,”
said Clint Rollins, NRCS at Amarillo and the speaker following Goodwin. “The fi rst step is for a producer to contact the nearest USDA NRCS fi eld offi ce. NRCS won’t make the fi rst contact because the program is strictly voluntary. Second, a determination needs to be made on whether LPC habitat exists on the prop- erty, and then, third, to decide if suitable habitat can be developed. The last step is a certifi ed conservation planner assisting the land manager to prepare detailed maps and the plan itself.” The plan will contain key practices in upland wild-
life habitat management and if livestock are present, prescribed grazing is included. Grazing management
BRAZOS VALLEY Livestock
Commission Co. Inc.
Providing the Brazos Valley with service and experience. SALE DAY
Tuesday at 12 Noon
6097 East S.H. 21 Bryan, Texas
Phone 979-778-0904 Fax 979-778-7900
Scott Scarmardo, General Manager Pete Scarmardo, Owner Mobile 979-224-3764 Home 979-272-0667
National Livestock Commission Association specializes in selling
The time proven auction method is at the heart of the NLCA program CATTLE
SALES WEEKLY Monday:
stocker and feeder groups Tuesday:
singles, cows and bulls at the
Historic Oklahoma
National Stockyards Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Jim Reynolds, General Manager
Cell: 405.620.1560 Offi ce: 405.232.3128
Call Toll Free 1.800.999.8998 72 The Cattleman July 2015
thecattlemanmagazine.com
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