Jan. 3, 2005

For more information contact:
Dennis Burkheimer
515-239-1355

Additional contacts:
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources,
Todd Bogenschutz, 515-432-2823
U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (USDA-FSA)
 Michael Musel, 515- 331-8440
U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), Marcia Roll, 515-284-4353

Landowners can benefit from conservation program to plant living snowfence

AMES, Iowa – Landowners can benefit from a joint federal and state effort to combat drifting snow on roadways and other public facilities, while increasing wildlife habitat and controlling erosion.

Iowa landowners with property on the north or west sides of lanes, roads, railroads, and public facilities; that had land cropped or considered cropped four of the six years from 1996 to 2001, are being invited to participate in the program. The updated living snow fence program consists of a combination of trees and shrubs that form a windbreak and, for the first time in 2005, a snow catch area composed of native grasses and wildflowers. 

“The inclusion of the snow catch area will be of great benefit to farmers who have hesitated to plant windbreaks because soils in the downwind area remain wet and cold in the spring, making them difficult to farm,” said Lyle Asell, the DNR coordinator for agricultural programs.  “This area will catch blowing and drifting snow, and provide much needed winter habitat for wildlife.”

This living snow fence program is eligible for the continuous Conservation Reserve Program that provides annual payments to landowners that qualify for both the native grass-planted sections and windbreak area. Minimum living snowfence requirements include a catch area of approximately 100 feet planted to native grasses downwind of a windbreak.  There are several options for the windbreak either one row of conifers,  one row of shrubs and one row of conifers or two rows of conifers.

“The traveling public will benefit from these living snowfences. These plantings have been shown to significantly reduce blowing snow and increase visibility for travelers,” said Dennis Burkheimer, DOT winter operations administrator, “Although the DOT may realize a reduction in the snow removal effort necessary in some problem areas, the clear winners are Iowa drivers because of the enhanced safety on the protected roadways.”

Asell added that the program might also improve access to farmsteads and rural areas, increasing the incentive for landowners to participate, especially in the northern half of Iowa where the living snowfences can provide essential cover and food for wildlife.

“To take advantage of the program, landowners must sign up at their county USDA-FSA office,” said Mike Musel, chief of the FSA conservation and compliance program. “USDA provides annual rental payments for the 10 to 15 years of the CRP contract plus assists landowners with establishment of the practice by providing 50 percent cost share and a 40 percent practice incentive payment. An additional sign-up bonus of $100 to $150 per acre is also available,” he added.

Specialists at USDA-NRCS will provide technical help in designing snow fence and selecting plant materials.  DNR wildlife biologists and foresters will also be available to assist in choosing native grass and flower species suitable for each site.

The program is a cooperative effort between the Iowa departments of Transportation (DOT) and Natural Resources (DNR) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (USDA-FSA) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS).

For more information , check the FSA Web site at www.fsa.usda.gov/ia/.

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