The PLSLWD’s land management efforts focus on identifying opportunities for increasing the water storage and improved runoff management practices in the watershed, and providing incentive payments and other options for achieving those increases. These efforts range from acquiring easements over wetlands to ensure their continued protection, promoting the installation of filter strips along ditches and streams, and restoring and enhancing drained wetlands. These efforts have the added benefits of protecting water quality and improving wildlife habitat, as well. Here are some examples of the PLSLWD’s land management efforts:
Filter Strip Incentive Program
In 1999 the PLSLWD authorized supplemental payments for a filter strip program sponsored jointly with the Scott Soil and Water Conservation District. By pooling resources the PLSLWD and the Scott SWCD are able to offer incentive payments for 10-year agreements on filter strips that are competitive with rental rates for cropland. This makes conservation an economically competitive choice for farm operators in the watershed district. Program Cost: varies depending on level of interest.
Property and Easement Acquisition
The PLSLWD is also pursuing opportunities to protect critical areas through voluntary land acquisition. The District’s primary emphasis is to purchase easements or land prior to development to protect low areas that include watercourses and wetlands. These easements also include upland buffers where appropriate. Upon acquisition, the areas are managed and maintained to promote water quality and wildlife habitat. Program Cost: varies depending on level of interest and project complexity.
Wetland Restoration
In conjunction with easement acquisition, the PLSLWD also works to identify and restore or enhance drained wetlands to increase water storage, improve water quality, and provide additional wildlife habitat.
Current Projects – In 2003 the District acquired easements over two properties. One is an existing wetland that will be enhanced (see West Spring Lake Wetland Enhancement Project). The other property is a farm field that will be excavated and seeded to create 2 acres of wetland and 1 acre of upland buffer, at a total project cost of $72,000.
District Permitting Program
The PLSLWD’s watershed rules also serve to improve land management in the District by establishing requirements designed to minimize the runoff volume that is sent downstream from new and re-development. Click here for more information about the District’s permitting program.
Joint Projects
The PLSLWD also works collaboratively with other local governments to encourage the use of best management practices in land management and development, and to identify and implement joint projects that decrease the volume and improve the quality of runoff in the watershed.
