PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release
May 30, 2007 www.agr.ne.gov		Contact: Christin Kamm (402) 471-6856 (402) 440-7251 (cell)

LINCOLN - Nebraska Agriculture Director Greg Ibach today announced that the Department is accepting grant proposals to address riparian vegetation overgrowth in the Republican River Basin. The Riparian Vegetation Management Grant Program was created in LB 701, the comprehensive water legislation signed into law earlier this month by Governor Dave Heineman.

"We will be accepting grant applications through July 1 and intend to make the grant awards in a timely fashion so that successful applicants can begin vegetation management projects yet this year," Ibach said.

The legislation designated the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) as manager of the grant program because of the Department's regulatory role with the state's noxious weed program.

According to LB 701, grant funds can only be disbursed to weed management entities, local weed control authorities and natural resources districts whose territory includes Department of Natural Resources-designated fully or over-appropriated basins. The legislation prioritized this year's funding for projects within the Republican River Basin.

Ibach encouraged entities that meet the qualifications to collaborate on proposals.

"We are looking for projects that meet the legislative goals of using integrated vegetation management and sound science," Ibach said.

An electronic version of the grant application can be accessed at the NDA web site, www.agr.ne.gov, under the "What's New Around the Department?" section. For additional information, interested parties can contact Rich Reiman or Mitch Coffin at NDA by calling 877-800-4080 or (402) 471-2394.