If you are a landowner in the jurisdictional Muskingum Conservancy District Watershed there are several opportunities to participate in the cost share programs for 2023. In an effort to promote conservation the MWCD provides cost share funds for several practices aimed at reducing erosion and improving water quality.

Cover crops The program is the same as last year. The cost share is $12 per acre with a 200-acre cap except for acres located in the watershed of the MWCD lakes. In Ashland County, the MWCD lakes are Pleasant Hill and Charles Mills. The NRCS seeding rates and dates must be followed.

Aerial, drill and broadcast are accepted methods of application. Cover crops can be harvested. Wheat is considered a cover crop. Fields enrolled in NRCS programs (EQIP) are not eligible. Call Katie Eikleberry at Ashland SWCD to sign up.

Voluntary nutrient management, grazing plans

These programs have been continued from last year and pay $10 per acre. VNMP’s are for cropland and GMP’s for pastures. All plans will be developed using the template developed by the Ohio for use in the H2Ohio Program. Plans can be developed by producers, consultants and SWCD staff.

Producers using a 4R Certified Ag Retailer, who is a director’s designee, will need to submit their nutrient management plan to the local SWCD. Plans will be approved by Ashland SWCD board supervisors. Having a plan in place will allow producers to be eligible for H2Ohio cost share when it becomes available.

Stream bank fencing Livestock grazing riparian areas have been identified as a source of nonpoint pollution. Riparian areas are the green vegetated areas adjacent to a creek, stream or river. The impacts of livestock grazing riparian areas include manure and urine deposited directly into or near surface waters where leaching and runoff can transport nutrients and pathogens into the water.

This program runs in conjunction with 2/3 US Fish and Wildlife funds and 1/3 MWCD funds to pay 100% of actual project costs not to exceed $10,000 per contract. Projects remove livestock access from the streams permanently, establishing a buffered riparian area.  Participation in the program will require the installation of a buffer area alongside the water body from which livestock are being excluded.  The buffer area width will be determined by the water body’s drainage area.

The program provides cost share funds to livestock producers that are willing to exclude their livestock from local creeks, streams, rivers, etc.  The cost share funds can be used to install conservation practices such as: fencing, stream crossings and off-stream watering systems. All conservation practices installed with cost share funds through this program must meet the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Standards and Specifications as listed in the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide.

Practices must be properly operated and maintained in accordance with a Soil and Water Conservation District approved operation and management plan by the owner/operator for the useful life of the practice.

Items of Importance 

• No mowing or grazing of established riparian area. Invasive plants may be removed

• Cannot pay for fencing for property lines and roads

• Livestock must be present

• Least cost alternative for stream crossings and water sources may be eligible

Debris removal to take care of log jams, flood causes

The intent of this program is to remove log jams and debris fields that are causing flooding of roadways, buildup of debris at bridges, and erosion of stream banks. Individuals are encouraged to work with their county SWCD or township/county entity to apply on their behalf.

The cost share is based on an estimate by a contractor to remove the log jam. The maximum DRP award is capped at $20,000.  A 10% in kind contribution such as debris removal and disposal is required for the application. Ashland SWCD can assist with submitting the application to MWCD.

If you would like more information on any of these cost share programs, contact Ashland SWCD at 419-281-7645 Now is the time to sign up and apply for any of the cost share opportunities.

Joe Christner is a watershed assistant at Ashland Soil and Water Conservation District.

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Several cost share programs available to watershed district landowners