Riparian Corridor 319
James River Riparian Corridor Restoration and Protection (Riparian Easements)
Urban and agricultural land uses within the James River Basin have impaired significant portions of the riparian corridor. Corridors where adequate vegetation occurs are becoming more at risk due to rapid land use changes such as rapid urbanization of sectors of the basin. The protection and re-establishment of riparian corridor areas has become an increasing concern for watershed stakeholders as increased sediment and nutrients are being loaded into streams, rivers and lakes during storm events.
The objectives of this project are to:
1. Develop and implement a riparian Conservation Easement Program.
2. Retain 20 miles of riparian corridor systems in the Conservation Easement Program
3. Enhance or establish 10 miles of riparian corridor systems in high priority areas.
4. Create an educational program for riverfront property owners with regard to managing and protecting their riparian corridor systems.
5. Create a model riparian buffer ordinance and present the model ordinance to representatives of cities and counties within the James River Basin.
The Conservation Easement Program is a basin-wide effort that will target areas of the James River watershed that include the Middle James, Finley, Lower James and Table Rock sub-watersheds in Christian, Greene and Stone counties. Landowner participants will receive 100% of the costs incurred for establishment of a conservation easement. These fees may include such things as land appraisal, alternative watering systems, fencing for cattle exclusion, land survey and legal fees related to development of the easement.
All established easements must include a minimum 100 ft. riparian corridor. In addition, livestock must be excluded from property entered into the easement program.
The Conservation Easement Program is divided into two sub-programs:
• Riparian Corridor Enhancement: The Enhancement Program will be available to landowners who are participating in the Conservation Easement Program. This program will offer 100% cost-share as the incentive for landowners donating a conservation easement for perpetuity. These areas must exhibit less than optimal riparian corridor systems but have an established corridor system in place. The participants in the Enhancement Program will receive 100% cost-share for practices to establish trees/grasses, stabilize stream banks and address excess soil erosion.
• Riparian Corridor Establishment: Landowners participating in an Establishment Program will be required to put the newly established corridor system in the Conservation Easement Program. This Establishment Program will offer a 90% cost-share incentive for landowners that donate a conservation easement for perpetuity. The remaining 10% of the practice cost will be the responsibility of the landowners.
For more information the Riparian Easement Program please contact Joe Pitts, Executive Director, James River Basin Partnership at 417-836-8878.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 7, through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, has provided partial funding for this project under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act.”Riparian 319 # G09-NPS-11
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