DAVIS, Calif. -- Applications will be accepted until March 15 for farmers and ranchers in four eastern California counties to receive the next round of federal funding for improving sage grouse habitat.

USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service is providing funding through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program to landowners in Inyo, Lassen, Modoc and Mono counties.

The NRCS is making $2 million available this year for landowners to make habitat improvements on their properties. Producers will be repaid 75 percent of their estimated costs for practices such as grazing management, removing encroached juniper trees, planting native species and retrofitting fences, according to a USDA news release.

Applications may be completed at a local NRCS office. For information, visit www.ca.nrcs.usda.gov/programs

-- Tim Hearden