Department of Natural Resources’ Soil and Water Conservation Program aims to maximize efficiency through targeted conservation
JEFFERSON CITY, MO, APRIL 11, 2022 - The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has joined the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service to deliver a Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) in three Missouri watersheds: Blackwater, Cahokia-Joachim and South Fork Salt.
This RCPP will provide cost-share assistance to farmers in portions of Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Cooper, Jefferson, Johnson, Lafayette, Macon, Monroe, Pettis, Randolph, Saline, Shelby, St. Francois, St. Louis and Ste. Genevieve counties to implement agricultural practices that improve water quality by addressing sediment, nutrient and pathogen loss occurring on agricultural fields. More than $500,000 in federal financial assistance is budgeted for 2022.
“This project’s objective is to identify specific areas within a watershed where the most economically efficient soil loss reductions can be achieved and install conservation practices there,” said Jeremy Redden, environmental manager with the department’s Soil and Water Conservation Program. “The targeted watershed approach allows agencies to complete specific water quality protection and soil erosion reduction goals by accelerating the conservation efforts in high-priority areas.”
Applicants from all three watersheds will compete for funding, and the applications that best address the project objectives will be selected for assistance. The application deadline for the first round of funding is April 29, 2022.
Landowners in the eligible areas should visit their local Soil and Water Conservation District for more information about the cost-share program. Contact information for each conservation district office is available at mosoilandwater.land.