Storm-Damaged Soil and Water Conservation Practices Eligible for Reconstruction and Reseeding Costs

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., June 6 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources issued the following news release:

Landowners who completed cost-share soil and water conservation practices that were affected by the recent flooding and heavy rains are eligible for reconstruction and reseeding costs. On June 2, President Trump approved Gov. Eric Greitens' request for a federal disaster declaration for historic flooding that began in Missouri on April 28. A total of 48 counties were included in the disaster declaration.

The federal declaration triggered action taken by the Soil and Water Districts Commission at its May 9 meeting. The commission approved a variance to its rules that allows for reconstruction and reseeding of storm-damaged soil and water conservation practices currently under a maintenance agreement. The variance will be available to landowners until Dec. 31, 2017.

Landowners seeking assistance for the reconstruction of storm-damaged conservation practices should contact their local county soil and water conservation district office. Cost-share funding will be available to restore the practice to meet practice standards and specifications. Landowners who have a contract for a practice that is currently under construction and was damaged are eligible for additional cost-share assistance through their local district. The local district board of supervisors has the authority to approve the contracts to repair the damaged practices.

Fifty different soil and water conservation practices are available to address the following resources issues:

Management of grazing lands

Woodland erosion

Irrigation management

Animal waste management

Nutrient and pest application to crops and pastures

Protection of sensitive areas such as streams and sinkholes

Sheet, rill and gully soil erosion

To contact your local soil and water conservation district office or to find out more information, visit http://mosoilandwater.land

Soil and water conservation practices are funded by the Parks, Soils and Water Sales Tax. Since voters approved the tax more than 30 years ago, Missouri has prevented more than 179 million tons of soil erosion to improve the state's water quality and keep farmland productive.