The California Rice Commission is offering two programs this year to support winter flooding. The programs are funded by the Department of Water Resources and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Summaries are provided below; to find out more about the programs or to apply visit the California Ricelands Waterbird Foundation website: calricewaterbirds.org
Applications for these programs will be open simultaneously August 15 to September 6.
Programs:
- Drought Relief Waterbird Program (DRWP) – this program’s focus is to offset the reduced availability of surface water with groundwater flooding in unaffected basins to provide necessary habitat for migratory birds in the face of severe drought. This program will have two separate flooding options this winter:
- Option 1: Flood and maintenance for 90 continuous days between October 15 and March 15. Payment rate will be $135/acre
- Option 2: Flood-up and hold water for 30 days. Payment rate will be $80/acre
- California Winter Rice Habitat Incentive Program (CWRHIP) – this program provides fixed rate incentive payments for flooding of harvested rice fields for 70 continuous days between October and March. Payment rates are $20/acre on the East side of the Valley and $40/acre on the West side, which is a priority area.
For questions, contact Luke Matthews, Wildlife Programs Manager, at (916) 607-8988 or lmatthews@calrice.org.
