Minnesota Association Of Soil And Water Conservation Districts

 

 

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Text Box: TREE PROGRAM Planning, Sales and Planting The Chippewa SWCD offers tree planting, design, and planning . The SWCD makes tree stock available for sales and offers a tree planting service. The SWCD technician works with landowners to access program funding for tree plantings. Cost-share may be available. To order trees, download the ORDER FORM and send it to the Chippewa SWCD office or contact the office for more information about your specific site. Living Snowfence Have you noticed big snowdrifts near your property after a snowstorm? Are you concerned about your safety during a blizzard? Did you know that something can be done to stop blowing snow? Contact the SWCD office if you are experiencing roads in your area blowing shut from the winter’s snowfall. Fabric The SWCD offers a fabric laying service as part of the “tree” services they provide to their customers. The fabric is 6 foot wide geo-textile material that allows moisture to pass thru it but does not allow weed growth to occur. Periodic mowing or lightly disking between the trees is still recommended to control weeds between the tree rows. The cost of the fabric installed is .40 per linear foot. Keeping trees weed free and conserving moisture will only accelerate tree growth. Mulcher-Available for rent Roto-Tiler-Available for rent Tractor Rental-The SWCD owns a tractor that is available at a rate of $40/hr. Conservation Planning and Construction The SWCD along with its NRCS partners provides technical assistance to all landowners to: Conduct a site investigation with the landowner/operator Work with landowner to determine the best management practices possible for any given situation Survey/design the project Produce a rough cost-estimate Provide landowner with a design plan for submission of bids Perform a pre-construction conference with the contractor/landowner Supervise construction and, Certify completion of the project Cost-Share Program A variety of cost-share programs are available to help landowners pay for installing best management conservation practices. SWCD/NRCS technicians work with landowners to access funding through federal, state and local programs. The following is a list of approved Cost-share practices: Critical Area Planting-Establishing permanent vegetation on sites that have or are expected to have high erosion rates, and on sites that have physical, chemical, or biological conditions that prevent the establishment of vegetation with normal planting practices. Diversions-A channel constructed across the slope with a supporting ridge on the lower side. Field Windbreaks-Linear plantings of single or multiple rows of trees or shrubs or sets of linear plantings. Shelterbelts-Linear plantings of single or multiple rows of trees or shrubs or sets of linear plantings. Grass Waterway-A natural or constructed channel that is shaped or graded to required dimensions and established in suitable vegetations for the stable conveyance of runoff. Livestock Waste Management-The application of eligible conservation practice components to improve water quality associated with livestock wastewater and runoff. Filter Strips-A strip or area of herbaceous vegetation situated between cropland, grazing land or disturbed land and environmentally sensitive areas. Sediment Basins-A basin constructed to collect and store debris or sediment. Streambank, Shoreland and Roadside Protection-Using vegetation or structures to stabilize and protect banks of streams, lakes, estuaries, or excavated channels against scour or erosion. Stripcropping-Growing row crops, forages, small grains, or fallow in a systematic arrangement of equal width strips on or near the contour of the field slope. A strip of grass or grass/legumes or small grain is alternated with a strip of tilled annual crop or fallow. Terraces-An earth embankment or a combination ridge an channel constructed across the field slope. Unused Well Sealing-The sealing and permanent closure of a water well no longer in use. Forestry Conservation Practice-Establishment or improvement of long term forestry practices to improve or protect water quality or control soil erosion. Land and Water Treatment Programs Funding is available to apply locally identified practices. Contact the SWCD Office for assistance. Observation Well Program The SWCD contracts with the State of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to measure the water level in wells located in the county in areas where there are irrigation wells. Rain Gauge Monitoring Since 1977, the SWCD has maintained a network of volunteers who monitor and report precipitation amounts. The monthly reports are sent to the Minnesota Office of Climatology. The reports can be viewed on the State Climatology Office Web site: (http://climate.umn.edu) Soils Information The fieldwork for the Chippewa County’s soil survey was completed and complied into a published soil survey for distribution. You may pick up a copy at the Conservation Office. The completed soil survey may also be downloaded from the NRCS webpage. Transect Tillage Survey A survey of tillage and the amount of residue remaining after planting was most recently done in 2007. The survey route transects the County every three miles, with data recorded at set points in each mile of the survey for a total of over 600 points. Easement Programs Chippewa County has participated in several of the State’s conservation easement programs. The CREP and RIM programs have resulted in over 8,000 acres of marginal agricultural lands being permanently retired. Nutrient Management Planning Assist landowners in developing nutrient management plans. NRCS Programs EQIP-Federal funding for private landowners who want to put soil and water conservation on the ground. EQIP provides technical assistance and cost-share payments to producers. CRP-Encourages producers to voluntarily plant permanent areas of grass and trees on land that needs protection from erosion. CCRP-This program offers a 10-15 year contract to landowners designed to target small specific parcels that need protection and provide wildlife habitat. WRP-This is a program will offer a 10 or 30 year contract to landowners for the development, restoration and maintenance of a wetland. CSP-A voluntary conservation program that encourages producers to address resource concerns in a comprehensive manner.