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CONSERVATION 2000 a) Stone Toe Protection b) Stream Barbs c) Bendway Weirs d) Rock Riffles e) Vegetative f) Other
BACKGROUND ON THE SSRP Streambank erosion has become a serious threat to the land, water, plant and animal resources along many streams in Illinois. Streambank erosion, when left unchecked, can be responsible for the loss or damage to valuable farmland, wildlife habitat, buildings, roads, bridges and other public and private structures and property. Streambank erosion is also a major source of sediments deposited in Illinois lakes, streams and backwater areas, and may contribute to as much as 30-50% of the downstream sediment load. Sediment reduces stream channel capacity, which may increase flooding and streambank erosion, or reduce the depth and holding capacity of lakes and reservoirs. Excessive sedimentation also degrades water quality and destroys fish and wildlife habitat. To address these needs, the Streambank Stabilization and Restoration Practice (SSRP) has been established. The SSRP will provide demonstration and cost-share projects that will target cost-share monies to severely eroding streambank sites where effective low-cost streambank stabilization techniques can be established. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE SSRP The primary goals of the SSRP are to develop and demonstrate vegetative, stone structure and other low‑cost bio‑engineering techniques for stabilizing streambanks and to encourage the adoption of low‑cost streambank stabilization projects by making available financial incentives, technical assistance and educational information to landusers with critically eroding streambanks. Objectives associated with the above goals are as follows: • Stabilize and restore high priority streambanks that are severely eroding using dormant plantings, vegetative materials, stone structures and other low‑cost techniques. • Reduce the loss of streambanks and reduce loss and use limitations on adjacent land areas, including agricultural land, urban land, wildlife habitat and other properties and land uses. • Reduce soil loss and the resulting sedimentation that can fill stream channels and deplete the holding capacity of lakes and reservoirs. • Protect water quality by reducing nutrients and chemicals contained in soil material or runoff waters from entering a stream or water body. • Protect aquatic life and habitat, and fisheries by reducing erosion and sedimentation and restoring beneficial vegetation. • Protect real estate, public and private property, infrastructure, public works, buildings and structures and other investments or improvements. • Protect, create or restore wildlife habitat. • Improve land and water aesthetics by stabilizing streambanks with natural vegetation. • Slow stream velocity during high water or flooding conditions and reduce flood damage. • Demonstrate the effectiveness of low‑cost streambank stabilization techniques to the public. ELIGIBILITY FOR COST‑SHARING ASSISTANCE All landusers and project sites (rural and urban) in each Illinois county are eligible for a SSRP demonstration project, watershed project and/or cost‑share assistance provided that the project site meets the assessment and selection criteria established for successful streambank stabilization using approved low-cost, vegetative, stone structure and/or other bio‑engineering techniques. All project proposals must be sponsored and prepared with the approval of the local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Board and with the technical assistance of qualified staff from the SWCD, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and/or the Illinois Department of Agriculture. FY 2007 SSRP COMPONENTS In FY 2007, the SSRP will include three program components: a cost-share component for cost-sharing with landusers on projects utilizing approved low-cost stabilization techniques; a demonstration project component; and a watershed project component. All three program components will use the SSRP application forms to submit a request for assistance. Unless otherwise stated, all program deadlines and application requirements pertain to all three components. Cost-share Component The cost-share component in FY 2007 is available for cost sharing on willow post installation, bendway weirs, rock riffles, stream barbs/rock vanes, lunker structures, gabion baskets and stone toe protection techniques. Additional projects may be implemented with prior approval from the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Land and Water Resources. SWCDs who submit a cost-share request for one of the above techniques must have the technical expertise available to provide assistance to a landuser. Cost‑sharing for all eligible and approved project components will be 75 percent. The remaining 25 percent is the obligation of the landuser. The actual cost‑share amount approved will be based on the budget included in the Project Application and Site Assessment Form submitted for review. Eligible payment will be based on 75 percent of the actual eligible costs contained in the final bills, not to exceed the approved amount. There is no limit on the total program payment for cost-share projects that a landuser can receive in a fiscal year. However, a maximum cost per foot of bank treated is used to cap the payment assistance on a per foot basis and maintain the program’s objective of funding low-cost techniques. Monies approved for the project from federal or local sources can be used as a match with state funds. In‑kind services may also be used as an eligible match. Demonstration Project Component The demonstration project component may include projects demonstrating low‑cost bio‑engineering techniques, including the techniques listed under the cost-share component. Demonstration project application proposals may be submitted only by SWCDs who have not previously sponsored the specific technique to be demonstrated. Demonstration projects will be funded at 100 percent. The program payment for demonstration projects may be limited by the Department due to the size of the project. In addition, a maximum cost per foot of bank treated is used to cap the payment assistance on a per foot basis and maintain the program’s objective of funding low-cost techniques. SWCDs may also be eligible to receive demonstration project administrative funding. Watershed Project Component The other option that can be used to secure SSRP funds is to submit an SSRP watershed project proposal. The objective of a watershed project is to improve water quality and reduce sedimentation. The emphasis of this type of project is treating critical areas of streambank erosion with a variety of low-cost techniques on an entire stream segment within a watershed. SWCDs submitting an SSRP watershed project proposal should have an active watershed resource planning committee and a watershed resource management plan that includes streambank erosion as a resource concern. The watershed resource management plan should also address upland soil erosion and sedimentation issues. A streambank stabilization implementation plan must be developed for the watershed or stream segment to be treated. The plan should include an inventory of streambank erosion treatment needs and a survey of landuser participation/implementation interest. SWCDs may submit proposals for up to $35,000 annually to treat a defined watershed’s streambank erosion problem. Since the objective is to treat all of the sites on the stream segment within a watershed, the cost-share rate can be as high as 80 percent for each individual project within the segment needing treatment. All low-cost techniques previously identified are eligible for a watershed project. There is no limit to the total amount of cost-share funds that a landuser can receive in a fiscal year. However, a maximum cost per foot of bank treated is used to cap the payment assistance on a per foot basis and maintain the program’s objective of funding low-cost techniques. SWCDs may be eligible to receive funds to cover administrative costs associated with watershed demonstration projects. |
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