LOWER
TRINITY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT NO. 435
P.O. BOX 406
LIBERTY,
TEXAS 77575
TELEPHONE (936) 336-9145 Extension 3
FAX (936) 336-7224
Board of Directors: June
2000
Burl Thomas, Chairman
Ford Flurry, Vice-Chairman
J.C. Ladd, Secretary
Jimmy Rollins, Member
Don Maxwell, Member
In
an effort to reduce nonpoint source pollution from Texas’ agricultural and
sivicultural lands, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 503. Which calls for the development and
certification of Water Quality Management Plans (WQMP).
A
WQMP includes appropriate land treatment measures and best management practices
that will achieve a level of pollution prevention consistent with state water
quality standards. The Texas
Legislature gave responsibility for this program to the Texas State Soil and
Water Conservation Board and to local Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
In
Liberty County, WQMP’s are developed voluntarily by landowners wishing to
prevent possible nonpoint source pollution problems created on their
agricultural and silvicultural lands.
A
landowner requests a WQMP from the local Soil and Water Conservation
District. At the request of the
District, the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) then provides technical assistance
to develop the plan with the landuser.
The
WQMP is a compilation of conservation practices that meet the producer’s goals,
and at the same time meet the goal of reducing nonpoint source pollution. These conservation practices are set up on
an implementation schedule. A WQMP must
cover all lands that make up an operating unit.
After
the plan is developed, it is certified by landowner, NRCS representative, and
the local Conservation District Board of Directors. It is then submitted for approval and certification to the Texas
State Soil and Water Conservation Board.
As
funding is available, “cost-share” may be requested for certain practices. Cost-share means that the landuser and the
District(State) share the cost of a certain conservation practice. Each pay a certain percentage of the cost.
Fencing,
pasture planting, irrigation land leveling, and grade stabilization structures
are eligible practices in Liberty County.
The cost-share rate is up to 75% of the actual costs incurred, (not to
exceed an amount determined by the district).
The maximum per individual is $2500.00.
The
landowner signs an agreement to maintain the practice for a specified length of
time. The practice may not begin until
an application is filed and approved by the District.
After
cost-share is applied for and approved, the practice must be installed
according to NRCS standards and specifications. Upon completion of the practice, the landowner must supply
necessary receipts, seed tags, soil tests, etc. to the District. After the necessary paperwork is processed,
cost-share funds are released to the producer by the State Comptroller by
direct deposit.
For
more information call the Lower Trinity Soil and Water Conservation District at
(936) 336-9145 EXT. 3
Programs and services of the Lower Trinity Soil and Water Conservation District and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis without regards for race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, marital status or disability.
File: word/factsheetSB503