Idaho Columbian Sharptailed Grouse SAFE

State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE)

Overview

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Idaho 

Department of Fish and Game are partners in implementing 

a State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) project to 

enroll agricultural land in 15 counties in eastern Idaho. The 

purpose of the Idaho Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse SAFE 

is to increase quality grassland, shrub steppe, mountain 

brush, and riparian habitat for Columbian sharp-tailed 

grouse.

Background

SAFE is part of the USDA Conservation Reserve Program 

(CRP). CRP is a federally funded voluntary program that 

contracts with landowners and agricultural producers to 

establish and manage vegetative covers that control soil 

erosion, improve water quality, and provide wildlife habitat. 

SAFE is a unique type of CRP that offers organizations the 

opportunity to partner with the USDA to establish habitat 

for high-priority wildlife species on agricultural land. 

SAFE sponsors work with the USDA to identify wildlife 

species, the vegetative cover that provides habitat for the 

target species, and the location in the state where the 

habitat is needed. A partnership is formed between the 

SAFE sponsor and the USDA, and federal funds are made 

available to allow for CRP enrollment on eligible land within 

the SAFE project location.

Target Wildlife Species

The goal of the Idaho Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse SAFE 

project is to provide habitat for Columbian Sharp-tailed 

Grouse. Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse are important to 

Idaho because they are a species of significant social and 

economic value to the community as well as a species 

of greatest conservation need according to Idaho’s State 

Wildlife Action Plan.

Habitat

Landowners and agricultural producers participating in the 

Idaho Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse SAFE are required 

to develop a conservation plan with assistance from the 

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) 

or a technical service provider. The conservation plan will 

provide details on how to plant, establish, and manage 

habitat for Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse. The habitat 

being established is to best resemble native Columbian 

sharp-tailed grouse habitat, which is characterized by 

bunchgrass prairie and shrub/bunchgrass rangelands in good 

to excellent ecological condition with a small percentage 

of the landscape in tall, deciduous shrub thickets provided 

by shrubby riparian zones, mountain shrub patches, and 

aspen stands. After the habitat is established, it will need 

to be maintained and managed by conducting approved 

management activities such as grazing, mechanical and 

chemical disturbance and seeding to increase diversity of 

the stand. Proper habitat establishment, maintenance, and 

management will maximize benefits for Columbian Sharptailed Grouse.

MAY 2023 IDAHO

Photo by Kourtney Stonehouse with Idaho Fish and Game
STATE ACRES FOR WILDLIFE ENHANCEMENT (SAFE) 2

Project Location

The Idaho Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse project location 

is the following Idaho counties: Bannock, Bear Lake, 

Bingham, Bonneville, Caribou, Cassia, Clark, Franklin, 

Fremont, Jefferson, Madison, Power, Oneida, Teton, and 

Twin Falls county.

Eligible CRP Practices

This SAFE project uses the following CRP practices:

 CP38E-2, SAFE Native Grasses

 CP38E-4D, SAFE Permanent Wildlife Habitat

 CP38E-25, SAFE Rare and Declining Habitat

 CP38C-3, SAFE Softwood Tree Planting

 CP38C-3A, SAFE Hardwood Tree Planting 

Haying and Grazing

 Grazing is allowed under all non-emergency provisions 

of CRP policy.

 Grazing is prohibited under emergency provisions 

according to CRP policy.

 Grazing as a gleaning activity may be conducted once 

in the fall of the first contract year before the cover is 

established.

 Haying of SAFE acres is not allowed.

Eligibility Requirements

Because SAFE is part of CRP, certain land and participant 

eligibility rules apply. To begin with, land must be in the 

project area and meet cropping history. CRP participant 

eligibility rules also apply to SAFE.

Payments and Incentives

In exchange for participation in CRP SAFE, the Farm 

Service Agency (FSA) provides participants with annual 

per acre rental payments, cost-share to assist with habitat 

establishment expenses, and in some cases additional 

monetary incentives.

For More Information

This fact sheet is provided for informational purposes only; 

other restrictions or requirements may apply. Consult your 

local FSA office for details. For more information, contact 

your local service center and USDA Farm Service Agency 

office: farmers.gov/service-locator.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. fsa.usda.gov/id

Photo by Idaho Fish and Game
STATE ACRES FOR WILDLIFE ENHANCEMENT (SAFE)

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. fsa.usda.gov/id

Idaho Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse SAFE Project Map

MAY 2023