![800px-Farmland_filter_strip_marion_co_ks[1]](http://dekalbcountyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/800px-Farmland_filter_strip_marion_co_ks1.jpg)
The DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is offering a Filter Strip Planting Program to landowners in the East Branch of the South Branch of the Kishwaukee River Watershed. This watershed includes the Union and Virgil Ditch systems located in both DeKalb and portions of Kane County and the entire DeKalb County stream system.
The recently completed watershed plan for the East Branch of the Kishwaukee River identified the need to protect the streams within the watershed from undesirable contaminants which can pollute the water. Vegetative filter strips are considered to be an excellent Best Management Practice (BMP) to install and assist in the control of runoff into the streams.
The DeKalb and Kane County SWCD’s are encouraging all landowners that have property next to a stream or ditch to consider installing this practice. In most cases cost share assistance is available through USDA and Illinois Department of Ag programs.
Established vegetative filter strips also allow landowners to get a reduced tax on the acres in which the filter strips are installed, which is even more incentive to participate.
The DeKalb County SWCD is offering a program to plant filter strips. The landowner is responsible for site preparation and the purchase of the seed prescribed by the SWCD or the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
For more details on this program contact Dean Johnson at the DeKalb County SWCD, 815-756-3237, ext.112 or Dean.Johnson@il.nacdnet.net. ■
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2 Comments
Should be mandatory!
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Anna Butler and Aaron Butler check this out!