From a Technical Perspective

By Larry Peach

OWEB Small Grants

Once again we have a limited amount of Small Grant funds for Klamath County, made available by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB). These OWEB Small Grant funds are available to local Watershed Councils, Tribes, and Soil and Water Conservation Districts to encourage landowner participation in watershed improvement projects. The Small Grant funds are usually available more quickly than through other grant programs. Funds can be used to support projects that improve water quality, water quantity, and fish and wild life habitat. Such projects can include juniper removal, replacing dirt ditches with pipe, stream bank restoration and fencing, wetland restoration or a variety of other conservation minded projects. A small grant may not exceed $10,000 and a landowner cost share match is required. A local committee comprised of volunteers evaluates each small grant application and project applications then are ranked based on local watershed concerns and priorities.

There are some new requirements this year for small grants. Juniper Removal Projects now require permits from the U. S. Forest Service to allow burning and the use of power equipment. Irrigation projects, such as a ditch to pipe project, needs to be reviewed by the local state water master before funding can be approved by OWEB.

For information and applications contact Don Gentry at the Klamath Tribal Office at 783-2219 x 126, Danette Watson at the Klamath Watershed Council Office at 883-7131, or Larry Peach at the Klamath Soil and Water Conservation District Office at 883-6932 x 106.