Washington 

Shrubsteppe SAFE

State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE)

Overview

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

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife are partnering 

on a State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) project 

to enroll agricultural land in Washington state in portions 

of Adams, Douglas, Grant, Lincoln, and Okanogan counties. 

The purpose of the Washington Shrubsteppe SAFE is 

to conserve shrubsteppe habitat at a landscape scale 

and increase connectivity between patches of native 

shrubsteppe habitat to benefit shrubsteppe dependent 

species including multiple birds, mammals, and pollinators.

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 the 

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 Washington Shrubsteppe SAFE project is to provide 

habitat for of Greater sage-grouse, Columbian sharptailed grouse, and Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit, which 

are all state or federally listed species, as well as other 

shrubsteppe dependent species including multiple birds, 

mammals, and pollinators.

Habitat

Landowners and agricultural producers participating in 

Washington Shrubsteppe SAFE are required to develop a 

AUGUST 2023 WASHINGTON

Photos by Eric Braaten, WDFW

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 Greater 

sage grouse, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, Columbia Basin 

pygmy rabbit, pollinators, and mule deer. After the habitat 

is established, it will need to be maintained and managed 

by activities such as herbicide and mechanical weed 

treatments, light disking, rotary clipping, prescribed burning, 

harrowing, and inter-seeding to create plant diversity for 

the benefit of wildlife and enhancement of the permanent 

cover. Proper habitat establishment, maintenance, and 

management will maximize benefits for Greater sage grouse, 

Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, Columbia Basin pygmy 

rabbit, and other shrubsteppe dependent species.
STATE ACRES FOR WILDLIFE ENHANCEMENT (SAFE) 2

Project Location

The Washington Shrubsteppe SAFE project area 

encompasses 4,535 square miles (about 2.9 million acres) 

within portions of Adams, Douglas, Grant, Lincoln, and 

Okanogan counties. These counties were designated as 

the general project region because they encompass most 

of Washington’s critical existing Greater sage grouse, 

Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, and Columbia Basin pygmy 

rabbit habitat.

Eligible CRP Practices

This SAFE project uses the following CRP practices:

 CP38A-22 — SAFE Riparian Forest Buffer (MPL not 

eligible for this SAFE project)

 CP38E-4D — SAFE Permanent Wildlife Habitat, noneasement

Haying and Grazing

Although the 2018 Farm Bill allows haying and grazing on 

all CRP practices, haying, and grazing are not allowed on any 

Washington State SAFE practices.

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

Photo by Eric Braaten, WDFW

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.
STATE ACRES FOR WILDLIFE ENHANCEMENT (SAFE)

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

Washington Shrubsteppe SAFE Project Map

AUGUST 2023