Habitat Improvement Program - Guidelines
2007 - 2008 HIP Guidelines
General Cost Share Guidelines
- 75% cost-share on 10-year agreements on private land (on actual expenses only)
- 50% cost-share on wetland projects
- 75% cost-share on all Pheasants Forever projects
- 75% cost-share on 10-year agreements on public land (no NEPA or overhead)
- 100% on 30-year agreements
- 100% of materials for landowners that build fences
- 100% on archeological clearances up to $300
- $10,000 maximum per project and $20,000 lifetime per cooperator
- Projects exceeding $4,000 must be approved by state program coordinator
Food Plots (provide standing grain near winter cover for wildlife)
- Corn: $300/acre, ½-mile apart, 2 acres max. ($150 for year 2) (4 acres in high-snow areas)
- Wheat: $250/acre if irrigated or in northern Idaho ($200 for 2nd year)
- $100/acre if dryland farming
- 1 mile apart, 2 acres maximum size, linear in shape
- Other Small Grains: Assess value at proven or estimated yield and current market price
- 1/2 mile apart, 2 acres maximum size
- Should be paid in fall after quality and quantity is confirmed
- Located within 200 yards of winter cover
- Monitor at payment in the fall
- Monitoring for other projects: Every 3 years (i.e., wetlands, CRP enhancement, shelterbelts)
Shelterbelts (provide winter habitat by establishing tree and shrub cover)
- 10-year contract
- Protect from grazing and fire
- Minimum 5 rows, 2 rows should be conifer, minimum ½-acre size
- Require fabric mulch
- Must have approved supplemental water agreement
- Monitor every year for first 5 years
Grass Corridors, Roadsides and Pivot Corners
(provide nesting and brood rearing habitats)
- 100% cost-share on seed and planting costs (per NRCS Custom Farming Rate)
- Assist with water delivery equipment if area is protected from grazing/haying for >10 years
- Monitoring varies, at least first 2 years