Conservation initiative could bring more than $1 million to Union County

A conservation project announced Tuesday could bring more than $1 million to Union County over the next three years.

The Union County Conservation Partnership Initiative was announced during Ag Appreciation Day activities at the USDA  building in Anna.

Details of the program were outlined by Carlyn Light, chairman of the Union County Soil and Water Conservation board.

Light explained that the initiative is a "partnership with Natural Resource Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Illinois Department of Agriculture, Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Friends of the Cache.

"We hope to help provide at least $1.2 million worth of cost share to landowners over the next 3 years to do conservation work.

The initiative has two phases. One will be for money on hand and projects ready to start this spring. Another phase is taking inventory of conservation problems and submitting special grants for the landowner to do the work later this fall and next year.

Projects available for cost share include:

• Backyard conservation work – consisting of tree planting, wildlife habitat improvement, backyard ponds, backyard wetlands, composting, mulching,nutrient management, terracing, water conservation and pest management.

• Streambank and old pond work – The district is seeking those who have a stream running through or adjacent to their property that has bare banks or unstable side inlets coming into the stream. Also grants will be submitted to replace and repair old pond dams that have poor water quality. An inventory of these is needed for future grants work.

• Gully erosion – An inventory is needed of all gully erosion for work that can start immediately and for grant applications for future work. Conservation practices available are critical area work, diversions, grade stabilization structures, grass waterways, pasture and hayland plantings, terraces, water and sediment control basins.

• Crop fields on HEL land – can receive cost share to be seeded to a conserving base.

• Livestock – cost share is available for practices such as fencing, water supply, winter feeding problems and erosion problems.

Other conservation needs may also qualify for the initiative.

Those needing information about the initiative should contact Keith Livesay at the Union County SWCD office in Anna at 618-833-5666, extension 111.