Section ATCP 50.738 - Harvestable buffers(1) DEFINITION. In this section, "harvestable buffers" refers to the establishment of grass strips that can be harvested for livestock forage and that are intended to reduce agricultural runoff from entering an adjacent waterbody.(2) ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. To qualify for financial assistance under s. ATCP 50.41, all of the following eligibility criteria must be met: (a) The site is not eligible for the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program.(b) The buffer must be adjacent to an eligible waterbody. Eligible waterbodies include perennial and seasonal streams, creeks and ditches; lakes and ponds; wetlands; and sink holes. Gullies or areas where water runs only after precipitation are ineligible.(c) Must address a water quality resource concern.(d) The site has been in agricultural production for 4 out of the previous 6 years.(e) The planned buffer is at least 30-feet wide and no more than 150-feet wide.(3) 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 the harvestable buffer, 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.(4) DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, AND MAINTENANCE. Financial assistance under s. ATCP 50.41 may not be provided for harvestable buffers unless all of the following conditions are met: (a) The harvestable buffer practices comply with all of the following that apply: 1. NRCS conservation practice standard 393 filter strip (January, 2017).2. NRCS Wisconsin agronomy technical note 6 establishing and maintaining introduced grasses and legumes (March, 2013).3. NRCS Wisconsin agronomy technical note 10 planning, design, management and maintenance of vegetative filter strips (VFS) (March, 2017).4. NRCS conservation practice standard 315 herbaceous weed treatment (June 2016).(b) The landowner agrees to maintain the vegetative cover for a period defined in the agreement with the county; the minimum maintenance period shall be 10 years.Wis. Admin. Code Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection ATCP 50.738
Adopted by, CR 23-024: cr. Register May 2024 No. 821, eff. 6-1-24; correction in (1), (2) (b) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register May 28 No. 821, eff. 6/1/2024