The tribes and NRCS developed a plan to implement proper grazing management on its vast rangeland resource of over 364,000 acres. The tribes identified their resource concerns through the development of their Agricultural Resource Management Plan (ARMP). Through the planning process, the tribes identified infrastructure problems that would hinder them in reaching their goals. They were mainly facing poor condition or missing fences and the lack of adequate livestock water in many parts of the reservation.
The tribes identified 1,700 miles of fence that either needed to be replaced or constructed to support the prescribed grazing systems they envisioned. As a part of the plan, the tribes also wanted to ensure that this project had as little impact to the wildlife resource as possible. They especially wanted to make sure that the fencing would not prohibit wildlife movement through their natural habitats. Soon, the goal became: construct and replace fence to facilitate proper grazing use, while being “wildlife-friendly.”
The tribes’ strategy was simple: prove that they can do the work on their own, then apply for federal funding from NRCS. The council pulled together about $300,000 to start the program—allowing the Tribes’ Natural Resources office to purchase building materials and to hire 15 tribal members to build the new fences. Initially, they built 50 miles of fence. NRCS provided nearly $511,000 in cost-share to fund four additional projects, which included prescribed grazing, wildlife-friendly fencing, and noxious weed control.
In an effort to continue the fencing and grazing project, the tribes recently applied for and were approved to receive Strike Force funding. Three contracts have been approved, totaling more than $900,000. The funding supports replacing fences and implementing prescribed grazing plans on more than 22,000 acres on the reservation. The prescribed grazing plans will last for three years.
According to Paul Finnicum, NRCS Fort Peck Tribal Liaison, the tribes are excited to have more funding to continue improving their infrastructure and their grazing management practices.
“We plan to train and hire all tribal members to work on the Strike Force projects,” Finnicum said. “Strike Force can have a huge economic impact, and people are ready to get to work,” Finnicum said.
The Strike Force fencing work will begin in the summer of 2016 and continue into 2017.