Michigan/Indiana St. Joseph River Watershed Conservation Partnership

The St. Joseph River Watershed Conservation Partnership is a bi-state project to improve and protect the streams, rivers, lakes and groundwater in the St. Joseph River Watershed. The project aims to reduce sediment and nutrient loading, optimize groundwater use and enhance fish and wildlife habitat. Project partners have selected Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) conservation practices that farmers can receive financial assistance to implement. These practices improve soil health and water quality and enhance fish and wildlife habitat.

$6.8 million in Farm Bill funds were dedicated to this project to provide technical assistance to landowners and to implement practices and wetland restorations through the Wetland Reserve Easement program (WRE).

Eligible Applicants:  Agricultural producers who are in the St. Joseph River Watershed seen in the light blue map below:

  
The first step will be to get you started with meeting program eligibility through the Farm Service Agency. 
NRCS will assist with the development of a farm conservation plan and then apply for desired practices through EQIP or WRE.

The St. Joseph River Watershed Conservation Partnership will help to:

- Reduce sediment and nutrient loading

- Optimize groundwater use

- Enhance fish and wildlife habitat

Expected Outcomes:

Clean and Abundant Water

 - Reduced sediment and nutrients

Better Habitat

- Restored wetlands

- Improved fisheries

- Increased pheasant/turkey/waterfowl populations

Profitable and Productive Farms

Interested or Have Questions?  Please visit or call your County Conservation District.

Berrien County - Berrien Springs, Phone (269) 471-9111 ext. 3
Branch County - Coldwater, Phone (517) 278-2725 ext. 3
Cass County - Cassopolis, Phone (269) 445-8643 ext. 3

Calhoun County – Marshall, Phone (269) 781-4867 ext. 3

Hillsdale County - Jonesville, Phone (517) 849-9890 ext. 3
Kalamazoo County - Portage, Phone (269) 382-5121 ext. 3
St. Joseph County - Centreville, Phone (269) 467-6336 ext. 3
Van Buren County - Paw Paw, Phone (269)657-4220 ext. 3

Eligible Practices:

Wetland Reserve Easements – Through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, landowners receive assistance to restore wetlands that were converted to agricultural use. The USDA purchases a permanent or a 30-year easement on the land to ensure that the restored wetland is preserved.

Conservation Activity Plans:

Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan:  Develop a livestock waste management plan.

Conservation Plan Supporting Organic Transition:  Develop a transition plan from a conventional farming or ranching system to an organic production system.

Drainage Water Management Plan:  Develop a plan to control soil water table elevations and discharges from subsurface agriculture drainage systems.

Fish and Wildlife Habitat Management Plan:  Develop a site specific plan for fish and wildlife habitat.

Integrated Pest Management Plan:  Develop an ecosystem-based plan to manage pests using a combination of techniques.

Irrigation Water Management Plan:  Develop a plan to control the volume, frequency, and rate of water for efficient irrigation.

Nutrient Management Plan:  Develop a nutrient management plan for fertilizers.

Priority Core Practices:

Access Control:  Install a temporary or permanent barrier to exclude animals, humans, vehicles, and/or equipment from an area.

Amending Soil Properties with Gypsum:  Improve soil physical/chemical properties to reduce soil erosion and improve infiltration.

Conservation Cover:  Plant species to reduce erosion and protect water quality.

Cover Crop:  Plant 1-3 species for soil health and water quality management.

Critical Area Planting:  Plant permanent vegetation on highly disturbed sites with high erosion rates.

Drainage Water Management:  Install a drainage water control structure, and manage it for water quality.

Field Border:  Plant a strip of permanent vegetation at the field edge or around field perimeter.

Filter Strip:  Plant species that increase water infiltration and protect water quality.

Grassed Waterway:  Provide means for slowing water flow and increasing infiltration.

Irrigation System, Sprinkler:  Install the necessary equipment and facilities for efficient water application.

Irrigation Water Management:  Implement irrigation management to optimize for the most efficient use of water.

Nutrient Management:  Implement Nutrient Management Plans for nutrients and sediment.

Open Channel:  Construct, improve, or restore an open channel to convey water.

Prescribed Grazing:  Manage the harvest of vegetation with grazing and/or browsing animals.

Residue and Tillage Management – No-Till:  Implement modified tillage and residue management to increase water infiltration.

Residue and Tillage Management – Reduced Till:  Implement reduced tillage methods and manage plant residue distribution on the soil surface year round.

Restoration and Management of Rare and Declining Habitats:  Restore habitat for rare and declining wildlife species.

Riparian Forest Buffer:  Plant tree and/or shrubs adjacent to a watercourse or water bodies.

Riparian Herbaceous Cover:  Plant grass or forbs tolerant of intermittent flooding or saturated soils for terrestrial or aquatic habitat.

Stream Crossing:  Construct a travel way for people, livestock, equipment, or vehicles across a stream.

Stream Habitat Improvement and Management:  To maintain, improve, or restore the functions of a stream.

Streambank and Shoreline Protection:  Install treatments to stabilize/protect stream banks, construct channels, and shoreline of lake, reservoirs, or estuaries.

Supporting Practices:

Channel Bed Stabilization:  Stabilize the channel bed or bottom.

Fence:  Construct a barrier for animals or humans.

Forage and Biomass Planting:  Plant a grass species suitable for pasture, hay, or biomass production.

Heavy Use Area Protection:  Stabilize a ground surface frequently and intensively used by people, animals or vehicles.

Livestock Pipeline:  Install a pipeline to move water for livestock.

Spoil Spreading:  Dispose of surplus excavated materials.

Trails and Walkways:  Construct a walkway used by animals, people, or off-road vehicles.

Subsurface Drain:  Install tile beneath the ground surface to collect and/or remove excess water.

Watering Facility:  Install a permanent or portable device to provide drinking water for livestock.

Additional Information for Potential Program Participants:

• MI-IN St. Joseph Watershed Conservation Partnership Brochure Overview
• Fact Sheet - Wetland Reserve Easements Program
• Fact Sheet: NRCS - Conservation Client Gateway
• Fact Sheet: DUNS & SAM Registration Requirements
• RCPP- Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Step-by-Step Application Guide

• Word Document - Michigan/Indiana St. Joseph River Watershed Conservation Partnership - use to customize for each county
• NRCS EQIP Eligible Practices & Requirements Presentation
• NRCS Program Participant and Land Eligibility Presentation