(Washington, D.C.) - Montana's senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus announced Montana has landed nearly $1.3 million in competitive grants to support innovative projects to conserve natural resources and agricultural lands. Baucus specifically hailed a $220,000 award to the Rocky Mountain Front Weed Roundtable which compliments a provision in the Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Act to prioritize weed eradication.

"The fight against noxious weeds was a top priority of many folks I met during multiple listening sessions on the Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Act. That's why we worked hard to identify these competitive grants and support our local applicants," Baucus said. "This is what the Heritage Act is all about--common sense and innovative collaboration.  Everyone hates weeds, and now we're getting something done about it."

The grants are made possible through a program Baucus fostered through the last Farm Bill. The USDA's Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program is intended to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies in conjunction with agricultural production.

"One-in-five Montana jobs are related to agriculture industry, making these grants a critical tool in supporting the heart of our economy. Our farmers and ranchers are the original stewards of the land and have always found innovative ways to overcome the challenges Mother Nature sends our way," said Baucus. "I'm pleased to see these resources going to work for Montana innovation."

Montana CIG awards:

• Rocky Mountain Front Weed Roundtable (MT) $220,000 - NOXIOUS WEED ERADICATION

The project's goal is to implement a cost-effective integrated weed management plan. This grant lays the foundation for Baucus' Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Act which prioritizes noxious weed eradication and prevention on designated public lands. Baucus staff worked to identify this grant following multiple listening sessions on the Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Act where attendees identified noxious weeds as a top threat to the Front.

• Cascade County Conservation District (MT) $1,000,000 - PROJECT: MID-SCALE WIND TURBINE

The goal of the project is to demonstrate the viability of an appropriately scaled, reliable, cost-effective and visually acceptable wind turbine.  The Zilo®, can be installed, owned and operated on site while decreasing long-term costs, displacing the use of fossil fuels, blending into the landscape and giving operators a significant degree of control over their energy futures.

• Clark Fork Coalition (MT) $54,066 - PROJECT: INNOVATIVE FISH SCREEN

The project is designed to evaluate and improve a new fish screen technology for small-scale irrigation diversions. The Watson Horizontal Flat-rate Fish Screen is locally fabricated in Montana.

A full list of CIG grants announced this week is available online HERE