Gillespie Co. SWCD Fredericksburg, TX, Brush Clearing Programs

GILLESPIE COUNTY SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION
DISTRICT #220

Gillespie County, Texas

Brush Clearing Programs

SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM (EQIP)

The District works with USDA NRCS staff and local landowners in Gillespie County to increase water quantity and water quality though EQIP, a federally cost-shared program. Mainly concerned with brush management; clearing cedar and mesquite are ranked high priority, prickly pear is medium, and persimmon is low priority. Contract amounts per acre depend on brush density and type, and on what method is used to clear the brush.

NRCS staff works with landowners to determine which areas they want to clear. EQIP doesn't require extreme clearing, and buffer areas can be left where agreed upon. Areas that would be too dangerous or costly to clear, like cliff edges or along ridge and creek beds can also be left.

Landowners/operators must be engaged in livestock or agricultural production to be eligible for EQIP. At least one contract item must be done within the contract's first year. Participants must hire their own contractor once the EQIP contract is signed & approved. The local NRCS Field Office can assist participants in locating contractors. EQIP requires a one growing season deferment of land following the brush clearing. Brush re-growth on land cleared through EQIP contracts needs to be controlled for 10 years. The Gillespie Prescribed Burn Association (GPBA) helps members control re-growth through prescribed burning. In addition, a Grazing Management Workshop, geared toward people with past and present EQIP contracts and members of GPBA, was held on April 12, 2008 in Fredericksburg.

Sign-up for the 2008 EQIP Program ended in November, 2007. The new program hasn’t been announced yet, but producers are welcome to leave their names and contact information with NRCS so they can be notified when the new program starts. When you apply for EQIP, you should also verify with Farm Service Agency (FSA) that your records are current. For more information on how the process works and how to apply, you can visit the NRCS office in Fredericksburg at 1906 North Llano Street, #106, call us at 830-997-3349 ext. 3, or consult the Texas NRCS web-site about EQIP.

PEDERNALES WATERSHED BRUSH CONTROL PROJECT

The Pedernales Brush Control Program began in 2002. Its purpose is to enhance our public water supplies by increasing stream flow and water availability of the Pedernales River through brush control. As of February 2008, approx. 25,243 acres were treated in Gillespie Co. We've heard testimonials from participants whose springs are now flowing after brush was cleared on their land. The Texas State Soil & Water Conservation Board and NRCS work with Gillespie Co. SWCD and other area conservation districts to administer the program.

The program pays part of the actual to landowners for initial clearing of juniper or mesquite, plus an additional amount when the landowner meets deferment requirements. Applications are being accepted for the 2008 fiscal year which began September 1, 2007. Funding is on a first-come, first served basis. For more information on the Pedernales Brush Control Program, stop by the NRCS office in Fredericksburg or Johnson City, or call (830) 868-7237, ext. 3.

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The Gillespie County SWCD #220 prohibits discrimination in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, and marital or familial status. (Not all prohibited bases apply in all programs.) "An Equal Opportunity Employer"

GILLESPIE COUNTY SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT #220

GILLESPIE COUNTY SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION
DISTRICT #220