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Beaver Creek watershed on track for erosion control funds

By
Mavis Fodness

The Beaver Creek Watershed is now considered a priority in terms of federal funds to control erosion.
That’s good news for 43 flood repair projects on eroded agricultural land according to a June 20 work group meeting at the Rock County Land Management Office.
Since the 2014 flood events, the county office has received more than 160 applications for erosion repair.
The number is significantly more than the five projects the LMO office handles in a typical year, and the demand has taxed the office’s ability to provide technical assistance.
Added staff and training in survey, design and layout for the conservation projects have helped, but many projects have been delayed until plans can be completed.
Prior to including Beaver Creek Watershed in its priority plans, the Rock County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors had only approved prioritizing efforts within the Rock River Watershed.
Out of the 160 applications LMO has received for erosion repair, 43 projects are within the Beaver Creek Watershed.
As a priority area these projects could gain technical assistance if applications are also made to the federal governments’ Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Environmental Quality Incentive Program.
“We can assist the district in their effort to get these projects implemented,” said NRCS District Conservationist Kurt Halfmann. “We are covering a quarter of your applications with the inclusion of that one watershed.”
Since last fall the LMO has received $2.6 million in estimated repair applications for the $1.5 million Rock County received through the state’s Disaster Recover Assistance Program.
According to LMO Assistant Director Doug Bos, 74 projects received letters from his office directing them to also apply for EQIP.
“Whatever projects are approved for EQIP will help increase funding or piggyback and spread (state dollars) that much further,” Bos said.
NRCS applications are eligible for technical assistance.
The work group, which includes the SWCD Board of Supervisors and personnel from LMO and NRCS, also chose priority practices. These practices are water and sediment control basins, grassed waterways, terraces and cover crops.
The Beaver Creek Watershed is located in the western half of Rock County and includes portions of Martin, Beaver Creek, Springwater, Mound, Luverne, Denver and Rose Dell townships.
 
In other business, the board of supervisors also:
•limited the cost share of installing a farmable terrace to no more than 50 percent cost increase over grass-back terraces.
•limited the cost share size of tile in a conservation project to no larger than 12 inches.
•approved two cost share projects of $8,412 and $22,797 plus increased a previously approved project from $24,804 to $52,774.

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