Monroe County Soil & Water



Monroe County Soil & Water

Conservation District

618-939-6181, ext. 3 __ 140 Williamsburg Lane Waterloo, IL 62298-2000 _ Summer 2009_

DIRECTORS: DISTRICT STAFF:

Joann Hartman ..……………………….Chair Cindy Zipfel.. …………Administrative Coordinator

Terry Matzenbacher…………………...Vice-Chair Courtney Rothlisberger….Resource Conservationist

Pat Wetzel …..……….…………..……Treasurer

Lyle Wessel……….…...………………Secretary NRCS STAFF:

Myron Neff……..……………………. Director Wayne Johanning…………..……District Conservationist

ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS: Harvey Hoffmann,

Harry Reichert Jr, Larry Scace, Jay Vogt, Ralph

Buettner and Ron Solich.

2009 EQIP FUNDS AVAILABLE THROUGH NRCS

The 2009 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funds are not available from the Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for four categories of implementation applications and three categories of Conservation Activity Plans. The four funding pools are: General EQIP, Grazing Land Operations, Confined Livestock Operations, and Forest Management Implementation. The Conservation Activity Plans include: Grazing Management Plans, Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans, and Forest Management Plans.

General EQIP applications include many types of conservation practices such as grass waterways, diversions, grade stabilization structures, streambank protection, terraces, water & sediment control basins, and vertical drains for sinkhole stabilization. Requests cost-sharing funding for these practices require a Resource Management Plan that addresses all the resource concerns of the field(s) involved.

Grazing Land Operations funds are for implementing a Grazing Management Plan for livestock used to produce food and/or fiber where there is an existing livestock related resource concern on pastureland.

Funds for Confined Livestock Operations are available to implement practices of a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan for livestock in a confinement operation.

Forest Management Implementation funding is for implementing a Forest Management Plan. This can include thinning of cull trees or removal of invasive plants such as bush honeysuckle, tree-of-heaven, autumn olive, etc.

As noted, requests for the above funds are all based on having a plan completed BEFORE applying for funds. NRCS personnel can develop the Resource Management Plans for the General EQIP applications, however, due to limited staff availability please request a plan several months ahead of application. Grazing Management Plans, Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans, and Forest Management Plans will need to be completed by a Technical Service Provider (approved private consultant). Applications to help cover the cost of developing these plans can be submitted under the Conservation Activity Plan category.

The USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs based on race, color, national origin, gender

Religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and martial or family status

Preparation of a Grazing Management Plan is applicable to areas of at least 10 acres of contiguous grazing land. The payment rate is $400 per plan.

A Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan addresses the issues of waste storage and utilization, nutrient management, and oil erosion control on the waste application fields of a confined livestock operation. A minimum of 15 animal units (1,000 #/unit) that are used to produce food and/or fiber are needed to qualify. The payment rate varies with the number of animal units.

Forest Management Plan funding can be requested for areas of at least 10 acres of contiguous woodland that are at least 100’ wide and will be managed for timber production. The plan must include all forestland within the tract of land and cannot include windbreaks, orchards, nurseries or Christmas tree farms. The payment rate is $400 per plan.

Applications for EQIP funding are taken on a continuous basis at the NRCS Office located in the USDA Service Center at 140 Williamsburg Lane in Waterloo for any land located in Monroe County. If you land is located in another county you will need to contact the office in that county for application processing. All applications will be ranked according to established criteria. If approved, a contract will be prepared to implement your application. Contracts can vary in length from a minimum of 2 years to a maximum of 10 years. All contract payments are based on payment rates established for Illinois and are not a percentage of individual landowner costs as many previous programs have used. A copy of you deed for the land involved will be required at application for proof of ownership.

If you have questions please call the NRCS office at 618-939-6181, ext. 3 or e-mail the District Conservationist, Wayne Johanning at wayne.johanning@il.. Additional information and application forms are available on the Illinois NRCS website at . Click on the “programs” tab at the top of the page, then select “Environmental Quality Incentives Program” from the list of programs.

[pic] GREAT PLAIN NO-TILL DRILL

The SWCD has a 10ft. No-Till Drill to rent. A damage deposit of $200.00 is required before use of the drill. A maintenance fee of $12.00 per acre will be charged upon completion of use. For more information, please call the office.

[pic] FLAGS FOR SALE

The Monroe County SWCS has survey/marking flags for sale. They are bright orange with 36” stakes. Prices are $.20. These work great for marking trees, or shrubs that you have planted.

[pic]Look for the Monroe County SWCD booth at the Monroe County Fair

Properly Handle Hazardous Household Products

You can reduce your use of hazardous household products by choosing safer, less-toxic products.

Avoid household products with hazardous ingredients, or handle them with extreme care. Many toxic ingredients in paint thinners and drain cleaners, for example, can contaminate water sources.

• Use only enough of the product to get the job done.

• Never dump hazardous products down drains, the toilet, or near flowing water, ponds, or lakes.

• Do not dump them on the ground.

• Use natural and less-toxic household products whenever possible. See the table below.

Instead of: Use:

Air freshener A small dish of vinegar or lemon juice set out in a warm area

All-purpose cleaner One quart warm water, 1 tsp. liquid soap, 1 tsp. borax, and ¼ cup vinegar

Bleach Borax

Carpet cleaner To neutralize odors, sprinkle the carpet with a mixture of 1 cup borax and 2 cups cornmeal or use baking soda. Let stand 1 hour before vacuuming.

Chlorine scouring

Powder Baking soda

Detergent Simple soap or phosphate-free detergent

Disinfectant Ammonia

Drain cleaner Plunger, followed by a handful of baking soda and a ½ cup of vinegar. Covered and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Pour in 2 quarts of boiling water, and the clod should disappear.

Floor cleaner Mop floors with a mild soap solution or 1 cup vinegar mixed with 2 gallons of water. Linoleum floors can be polished by mopping with skim milk. (No, it doesn’t smell.)

Furniture polish On unfinished surfaces, use natural oil such as almond or olive oil. On finished surfaces, dust with a damp cloth and wipe dry.

Glass cleaner Two tablespoons of vinegar to 1 quart of water.

Grease remover Baking soda paste

Mildew stain

Remover Vinegar solution

Mothballs Cedar chips

Oven cleaner Pour salt on fresh oven spills, and scrape the residue off when the oven cools. Ammonia can be applied to tough stains. A pumice stick, available at many hardware stores, will also work.

Pest control Make chili powder packets to keep ants out of your kitchen.

Stain remover Cornstarch paste

Surface cleaner Use vinegar and salt mixture

Tile cleaner Scrub areas with baking soda and a toothbrush

Toilet bowl cleaner Baking soda or borax

Window cleaner Mix ¼ cup of white vinegar or 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and a quart of warm water.

CPP SIGNUP

If you are experiencing problems with erosion and have been thinking about addressing these problems this summer, now is the time to get your name in to request cost-share and technical assistance. The Conservation Practices Program offers 60% cost reimbursement for establishment of the following conservation practices:

• Filter Strips

• Field border strips

• Pasture and hayland planting

• Critical area planning

• Grassed waterway

• Terraces

• Water and sediment control basin

• Grade stabilization structure

• Sinkhole stabilization

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NOTE

In order to cut down on the costs of this newsletter, if you no longer wish to receive a copy of the newsletter, please notify us so we can remove your name from the mailing list. Also, if you know of someone who would like to receive our newsletter and may not be on our mailing list, please let us know so we can add his or her name to the list. Thank you.

GIVE US YOUR INPUT

The Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation District board meets the second Monday of each month at the District office located at 140 Williamsburg Lane in Waterloo. Call to confirm exact time. Everyone is invited to attend.

VISIT OUR WEB SITE AT



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