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by Barry Bubolz, NRCS Soil Conservationist & Bruce Petersen, NRCS District Conservationist
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has continued to provide conservation technical assistance to the residents of Houghton and Keweenaw Counties. Throughout these two counties, many exciting activities have occurred over the past year. Conservation planning is a very important tool for any landowner. This process allows landowners to look at different options and ways to manage the resources that they have. The NRCS tries to keep plans as up-to-date as possible. If you would like a conservation plan for your land or to update an existing one please feel free to contact the District Office.
The Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) has enabled a couple of landowners to begin the process of restoring wetlands that had been drained in the past for agricultural purposes to once again act as viable wetlands. The program allows landowners that are using the land for an agricultural purpose to apply for cost share to restore the habitat.
Through the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) cost share is available for conservation practices such as grassed waterways, tree plantings along water bodies, windbreaks, and other conservation practices. To be eligible for this program the land must be presently utilized for crops or pasture. Through this program fencing of streams and creeks and the installation of watering facilities can be cost shared when stream access for cattle is limited.
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) enables cost share to be available to farmers and other landowners to address whole resource system concerns. Recently through EQIP cost share, an ag-waste system was installed in the county. This will allow manure to be stored through the winter, reducing the possibility of winter spread manure from impacting area water bodies. The system will also help to prevent manure from leaching into the groundwater and allow for better utilization of the nutrients.
The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) and the Forestry Incentives Program (FIP) are also available to landowners for improving and managing wildlife and forested lands. Technical assistance is also available for many other types of projects including shallow floodings and ponds.
Special WHIP (Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program) monies for mine closures for bat protection have been completed. Two of these closures were in Houghton County and the rest were in Ontonagon County in the Mass City area. Approximately $26,000 remains from last year’s appropriation and the RC&D Program working through the NRCS State Office is pursuing more funding to do work on other sites in Houghton, Ontonagon and Keweenaw Counties. The number one concern to Bat Conservation International (BCI) is the Copper Falls Mine in Keweenaw County and that has received funding for closure this fall.
If you are interested in receiving technical assistance or more information on any of the above programs, please contact Barry Bubolz at (906) 353-8225 or Bruce Petersen at (906) 482-0360 or the District Office (906) 482-0214.
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