Wheeler County Riparian Buffers; 2002-2003 Annual Report.
- Wheeler County Soil and Water Conservation District, John Day, OR
Problems Encountered During Contract Year--Wheeler County residents are mostly non participants when it comes to Farm Services programs. Results of the counties non participation is the rental rates are the lowest in the state. There is a government fear factor as well as an obvious distance limitation. The FSA office is nearly 150 mile roundtrip from two of the counties urban areas. I find myself not only selling the CREP-Riparian Buffer but also selling Farm Services in general. Training has been very limited. NRCS is obviously not designed around training and certification. They are an on-the-job training organization. It has caused a hesitation in my outreach program and a great deal of frustration. I feel my confidence will strengthen with the follow through of the current projects. The most evident problem has come to light as of late. The program is too expensive to implement. The planting is too intensive for a 12''-18'' rainfall area. I provide the potential landowner a spread sheet with the bonuses, the costs, and the final outcome. No matter the situation, CREP or CCRP, the landowner always balks at the cost. The program assumes the landowner has the capital to make the initial investment. For example, project No.2 is going to be a minimum width buffer. It is approximately 3,000 ft long and 5.5 acres. The buffer for tree planting and fencing alone will result in a cost of nearly $13,000. With the water developments it nears $23,000. That is nearly 10% of a 250 mother-cow operating budget. Project No.1, the tree planting estimate is $45,000. This alone is nearly 25% of the same type of budget. I would greatly appreciate any help in finding a third party willing to put money to work covering the initial costs of the program, expecting reimbursement from Farm Services Agency. I believe this could create a powerful tool in buffering streams in Wheeler County. Outlook for Contract Year 2--I have been in this position now for 6 months. I am beginning to feel a much more confident in the buffer program. As my confidence improves I will move forward rapidly in contacting. With increased contacting I will find participating landowners. I am positive the landowner involved in my first project will be doing another after the first is complete.
- Research Organization:
- Wheeler County Soil and Water Conservation District
- Sponsoring Organization:
- United States. Bonneville Power Administration. Division of Fish and Wildlife
- DOE Contract Number:
- 00009478
- OSTI ID:
- 897147
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/BP-00009478-1; R&D Project: 200203400; TRN: US200704%%598
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Wheeler County Riparian Buffers; 2004-2005 Annual Report.
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