California Winter Rice Habitat Incentive Program (CWRHIP)

About the Program

CWRHIP supports landowners and lessees who provide critical winter flooding on ricelands to support migratory waterfowl and other waterbirds. This program is funded by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and administered by the California Rice Commission.

Participants are required to flood harvested rice fields for a minimum of 70 continuous days during the winter months (October-March). Fields must have been planted to rice the previous growing season. Payment rates vary based on location within the Sacramento Valley. Producers on the East side of the Valley will be eligible to receive $15/acre while producers on the West side of the Valley will receive $30/acre. The enhanced payment on the West side of the valley is to address increased water costs and a significant reduction of winter flooding activities in that area.

Please visit the CWRHIP website for more detailed information.