ELIGIBLE PRACTICES include grassed waterways, terraces, water and sediment control basins, grade stabilization structures, diversions, contour strip cropping and farmstead windbreaks.

GRASSED WATERWAYS are put in areas of concentrated flow or where gully erosion is a problem. Waterways are designed to carry surface runoff to a stable outlet. The vegetation in the waterway is designed to trap sediment and protects the soil from erosion caused by the concentrated flow. Waterways can be beneficial to wildlife habitat depending on the vegetative species and the management of the waterways.                                  

TERRACES are contoured earthen structures that catch and temporarily store water runoff on moderate to steep slopes. The terrace breaks the slope length of the field which reduces the sheet and rill erosion and prevents gully erosion development. The runoff water caught by the terrace infiltrates into the ground or is released through an underground pipe.

GRADE STABILIZATION are structures that are installed to stabilize the channel grade and control erosion to prevent the formation or advance of gullies and headcuts.  They are used in areas where the concentration and flow velocity of water require structures to stabilize the grade in channels or to control gully erosion.

CONTOUR STRIP CROPPING is a practice of alternating strips of different crops on the contour.  Each strip would have either a spring or fall seeded crop, a row crop or a close grown or drilled crop.  The purpose of such a practice is to prevent all of a given field from being tilled at one time.  The area not being tilled would trap soil, nutrients and pesticides from the tilled area. 

FARMSTEAD WINDBREAKS consist of 3-8 rows of conifers or deciduous trees planted around farmsteads to slow the wind and improve the environment. Windbreaks conserve energy, provide snow control, improve working and recreational conditions, and enhance wildlife habitat. Windbreaks are a long term investment that add value to your farm and improve the environment for everyone.

ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE   The SWCD is able to cost share 75% of the total cost not to exceed $5,000 cost share for the eligible practice.  The SWCD will provide technical assistance with the survey and design and assist with the implementation of the erosion control practice.

CRITERIA FOR ASSISTANCE  There must be a current erosion control problem and the proposed practice must treat the existing erosion problem.  The practice to be installed must meet SWCD standards and specifications.  Cost share is authorized where at least 75% of the contributing watershed controlled by the land occupier has the appropriate cultural, management, or structural practices in place (or scheduled to be installed) to stabilize sources of sediment and reduce surface water runoff.

INELIGIBLE FOR COST SHARE  Landowners and land occupiers are ineligible for cost share on work that is started or completed prior to cost share contract approval by the district board.

Push Up Pond Incentive Program                                                           

Landowners thinking about installing a pond for erosion control, pasture enhancement, or wildlife should contact the District Office at 507-765-3878.  The District has incentive payments of $300-$500 for each smaller push up pond.  Typically these ponds are non-engineered projects, with watersheds from 5-20 acres in size.  There is a limit of two ponds per landowner per year.  Telephone (507) 765-3878, ext 3 for more information.

Wetland Preservation Areas

Fillmore County has less than 50 percent of its pre-settlement wetlands remaining. As an incentive to preserve remaining wetlands, the Fillmore County Board of Commissioners has adopted the Wetland Preservation Area (WPA) program. The program provides an option to landowners who wish to preserve wetlands and receive a tax break on those acres. The program allows wetlands of one acre or more, plus a buffer area of up to four times the size of the wetland, to be exempt from property tax. The landowner signs a restrictive covenant, which is recorded with the deed. The covenant outlines what their responsibilities are for preserving the area perpetually as a wetland and it remains with the property if the property is sold.                                                                                                   

Landowners interested in the program need to sign a Notice of Intent by September 1 in order to be eligible for a tax break in the next tax year. All other application materials must be completed by November 1. Notices of Intent forms are available at the SWCD office in Preston. There is a $46 nonrefundable fee, which is used to pay the recording fee when a WPA application is approved. WPA’s are exempt from eminent domain, so other governmental units (township, county highway department, and cities within two miles of the proposed area) are notified of the WPA application in case the area would interfere with future development or capital improvement projects.

Wetlands are eligible for the tax exemption in conjunction with other easement or regulatory programs, such as Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CCRP), Wetland Reserve Program (WRP), Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM), etc. WPA can add to the benefits received from these programs.