Oregon Columbia 

Plateau Mule Deer SAFE

State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE)

Overview

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

Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) are partners in 

implementing a State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) 

project to enroll agricultural land in five counties, along 

the southern and eastern borders of the Columbia Plateau 

Eco-region of north-central Oregon, and convert it to 

conservation covers providing improved mule deer habitat.

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 goal of the Oregon Columbia Plateau Mule Deer SAFE 

is to enhance mule deer populations in the area. Historically 

the core area of the ecoregion supported higher numbers of 

resident mule deer. These populations have been declining 

in part due to degraded and fragmented habitat resulting 

decreased availability of high quality forage for pregnant 

mule deer does and lower survival.

Habitat

Landowners and agricultural producers participating in the 

Oregon Columbia Plateau Mule Deer SAFE are required 

to develop a conservation plan with assistance from the 

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) or 

a technical service provider (TSP). The conservation plan 

will provide details on how to restore and sustain native 

grassland and shrub-steppe habitat providing improved 

winter forage. After the habitat is established, it will need 

to be maintained and managed by conducting management 

activities during the contract period. All required 

management activity must be performed outside of Primary 

Nesting Season (PNS).

Management activities will be determined by the producer, 

NRCS or ODFW wildlife biologist and will be applied 

according to a conservation plan. Management activities 

include inter-seeding, prescribed burning, mowing, 

and prescribed grazing. Proper habitat establishment, 

maintenance, and management will maximize benefits for 

mule deer as well as other species highlighted in the Oregon 

Conservation Strategy.

AUGUST 2023 OREGON
STATE ACRES FOR WILDLIFE ENHANCEMENT (SAFE) 2

Project Location

The Oregon Columbia Mule Deer SAFE project location 

includes portions of Gilliam, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, 

and Wasco Counties.

Eligible CRP Practices

This SAFE project uses the following CRP practices:

 CP38E-1, SAFE Establishment of Permanent 

Introduced Grasses and Legumes

 CP38E-2, SAFE Establishment of Native Grasses and 

Legumes

 CP38C-3A, SAFE Hardwood Trees

 CP38E-4D, SAFE Permanent Wildlife Habitat

 CP38E-12, SAFE Wildlife Food Plots

 CP38E-25, SAFE Rare and Declining Habitat (Grass)

Haying and Grazing

Non-emergency and emergency haying and grazing is 

allowed on practices CP38E-1, CP38E-2, CP38E-4D 

but prohibited on CP38C-3A, CP38E-12, and CP38E-25 

practices according to an approved conservation plan 

developed by NRCS or TSP. No haying and grazing allowed 

during the PNS for all SAFE practices.

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

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/or

Oregon Columbia Plateau Mule Deer SAFE Project Map

AUGUST 2023