Protect Water Quality with a Buffer
Do you, or someone you know, have a stream or ditch on or along their property? Do livestock have access to (or closely graze near) this waterway? Did you know that even small streams and ditches can have a big impact on water quality in our larger streams and rivers?
- Poorly shaded ditches and streams can cause water to warm up to levels that are often harmful to aquatic life, including salmon.
- Runoff from rain can cause nitrogen and phosphorus (from manure) to migrate into water, causing algae blooms and depleting oxygen.
How can you help improve water quality and protect our threatened and endangered salmon?
- Consider planting a mix of native plants along the edges of streams and ditches.
- Install fencing to prevent livestock from accessing streams, ponds, and wetlands.
How KCD Can Help You
KCD’s Landowner Incentive Program (LIP) has Cost Share for Buffer Fences and Aquatic Area Buffer Planting
A buffer fence is a fence that protects a sensitive area from livestock use. KCD recently increased our cost share rate from $5 to $7 a linear foot (at a 75% reimbursement).
Contact your KCD Farm Services Resource Planner for more information if you are interested in installing a fence to protect a waterway.
KCD’s Aquatic Area Buffer Planting Program reimburses a landowner up to 90% of the cost of installing native vegetation along streams and ditches. KCD’s team will complete follow-up maintenance for 3 years after the installation of a project to ensure planting success! Contact Jacobus Saperstein for more information.
For more detailed information about pasture management recommendations in western Washington, check out this resource from WSU, OSU and NRCS:
Western Oregon and Washington Pasture Calendar (Acrobat PDF)
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