Let’s Clear Things Up

Kevin Brown, Ag Resource Specialist, BCCD
So, occasionally we get calls or requests from residents for monies to do certain things.  We, here at the district, do have grant monies that we work with in order to help with certain things.  We don’t typically have money at the ready, but rather apply for it once we know there is a need (from you).  We have an Ag group and a Stream group and a Dirt and Gravel Roads group.  I am part of the Ag Team, and we specialize in ag stuff.  People will see some of the projects we do as they drive around.  Some counties get lots of funds because they have lots of things to do in that particular area, and some counties get very little because they don’t.  For example, Philadelphia County doesn’t have a whole lot of agriculture or dirt and gravel roads so they would get very little money in those two programs. Bradford County, on the other hand, is one of the top ag counties (although that is fading fast), and the top county for the Dirt and Gravel Roads Program. 

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What is that money for?  It is for keeping nutrients and sediment out of our local streams.  For the grand view of the programs, it is about the Chesapeake Bay.  However, reality is that if it doesn’t get into our waters, it doesn’t get to the Bay.  And, our waters are just as important, or more, than the Bay’s (to me).  So, if you are thinking that maybe we can help with a project or something that you are doing, and you are thinking about calling us, ask yourself, “does this thing that I am proposing to do help keep nutrients out of the local stream?”.   If the answer is “maybe” or “yes”, give us a call.  If the answer is “no”, then it really doesn’t qualify.

Some examples.  Fencing usually gets a lot of questions.  Just fencing in general, especially if you are fencing in a currently fallow field, would be a no.  If it is fallow and nothing is currently disturbing the soil, that is what we want.  To fence it and add animals will make it at least a little worse, and potentially a lot worse.  If it went to a brown lot, loose soil area, that is exactly what we don’t want.  Hence, no money for that.

Sometimes people call just to see if we help build “barns”.  The quick answer is no.  We don’t build barns just to build them.  However, if you have one of the aforementioned bare soil areas, and that sediment is getting into a stream, now we should talk.  Dirt and Gravel Road and stream projects are all based on the same thing.  We are preventing sediment and nutrients from getting into the water.  If you have an issue with stream erosion, please call us.  Maybe we can help. 

If you look at things from this perspective, it is pretty straightforward.  Give us a call if you think we can help keep sediment out of the waters of Bradford County.
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The Bradford County Conservation District is committed to helping people manage resources wisely.  You can visit the Bradford County Conservation District at 200 Lake Rd in Wysox across from the Wysox Fire Hall. Contact us at (570) 485-3144 or visit our web page at www.bccdpa.com.