Section ATCP 50.663 - Conservation cover(1) DEFINITION. In this section, "conservation cover" refers to the establishment and maintenance of permanent vegetative cover in an agricultural setting to reduce erosion and sedimentation, improve water quality, and improve soil health.(2) ELIGIBLE COSTS. A cost-share grant under s. ATCP 50.40 may reimburse any of the following costs: (a) The cost of fencing to protect the planted vegetation.(b) The cost to establish and manage conservation cover, or to provide temporary cover until the planting is established. This may include costs for mulch, seed, and other necessary materials.(c) The cost to shape, smooth, or prepare the site before establishing vegetative cover.(3) INELIGIBLE COSTS. A cost-share grant under s. ATCP 50.40 may not reimburse any of the following for conservation cover:(a) Critical area plantings.(b) Whole-field conversion.(4) DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, AND MAINTENANCE. A cost-share grant under s. ATCP 50.40 may not reimburse conservation cover costs unless all of the following conditions are met: (a) The conservation cover practices comply with all of the following that apply: 1. NRCS conservation practice standard 327 conservation cover (January, 2013).2. NRCS conservation practice standard 472 access control (January, 2018).3. NRCS conservation practice standard 382 fence (January, 2014).4. NRCS conservation practice standard 315 herbaceous weed treatment (June, 2016).(b) Following establishment of vegetative cover, management of cover complies with all of the following that apply: 1. NRCS conservation practice standard 338 prescribed burning (March, 2016).2. NRCS conservation practice standard 314 brush management (April, 2017).3. NRCS conservation practice standard 528 prescribed grazing standard (April, 2017).4. Guidelines specified in "Pastures for Profit: A Guide to Rotational Grazing," published by the University of Wisconsin-Extension (2014).(c) The landowner agrees to maintain the vegetative cover for 10 years.Wis. Admin. Code Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection ATCP 50.663
Adopted by, CR 23-024: cr. Register May 2024 No. 821, eff. 6-1-24; correction in (4) (a) 4., (b) 1. to 4. made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register May 28 No. 821, eff. 6/1/2024