Farmers and ranchers in the Hangman Creek watershed are being urged to apply for federal money that's become available to fund water quality and conservation measures in the watershed, located south of Spokane.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has allocated $221,000 for 2010 to the Washington state Department of Ecology and the Spokane County Conservation District to be used in the Hangman watershed, which includes about 890 square miles, Ecology says. The money will be used to promote agricultural practices to keep eroded soil and other runoff from getting into Hangman Creek, the agency says.

Payments to farmers and ranchers can be used to install fencing to keep cattle out of the creek, to build watering facilities for livestock away from the creek, and to start what's called direct-seed farming, which is a method of planting seeds without significant soil disturbance.

Direct-seed farming allows precipitation to soak into the ground more readily, reducing erosion and runoff into the creek.

The money comes from the Agricultural Water Enhancement Program.

"This money will help farmers reduce runoff from farms in the watershed, and that will mean cleaner, clearer water," says Jon Jones, a water quality specialist with Ecology in Spokane. "Reducing erosion means we can also reduce nutrient pollution such as phosphorus from fertilizers."

Jones adds, "This works hand in hand with the new water-quality improvement plan that was recently approved for the Spokane River (into which Hangman Creek flows). It will help bring the Spokane River back into compliance with water quality standards."

The state Department of Ecology will provide technical help to farmers and ranchers who participate in the program and will conduct regular monitoring of the water in Hangman Creek to determine the effectiveness of the program over time.

To apply for the federal money, farmers and ranchers should contact Walt Edelen, with the Spokane County Conservation District office, at 535-7274, or Rich Edlund, with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, at 924-7350.

Applications will be scored and ranked, then funded as money becomes available, Ecology says.