For Immediate Release

Krebser Fund for Rappahannock County Conservation
$50,000 available for livestock exclusion fencing to improve water quality in Rappahannock County rivers.

The Krebser Fund for Rappahannock County Conservation is providing new financial incentives to help farmers improve water quality in Rappahannock County. The funding will compensate landowners who install livestock exclusion fencing along streams and rivers. To be eligible, landowners must enroll in an active conservation program through the local conservation district or USDA. In combination with state and federal cost-share programs, these incentives should allow landowners to recover the full cost of installing fences to create riparian buffers.

The funding is available for landowners in the Upper Hazel watershed (including land that drains into the Hazel, Hughes, Rush and Thornton Rivers) encompassing most of Rappahannock County. The primary goal is to improve water quality so that the Hazel can be removed from the state's list of impaired waterways.

Cleaner, healthier rivers in the Upper Hazel watershed will provide substantial public benefit for the citizens of Rappahannock County and for downstream communities. The Hazel flows into the Rappahannock River - a Virginia Scenic River, a source of drinking water for the City of Fredericksburg and a major tributary of the Chesapeake Bay. Water quality and streamside habitat improvements will also benefit brook trout, bald eagles and a host of other wildlife species.

"This funding aims to remove the financial burden for any farmer wishing to establish riparian buffers along key Rappahannock waterways," said Nicholas Lapham, chair of the Krebser Fund. "While cleaning the Upper Hazel watershed must be a priority, so too must be maintaining agriculture as a vital part of our economy and heritage. This program aims to serve both goals."

The principal project partners are the Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC), the Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District (CSWCD) and Rappahannock County. CSWCD, which administers the governmental incentive programs, will provide technical assistance and authorize reimbursements. PEC will conduct a public outreach campaign to encourage participation. Rappahannock County will serve as fund custodian.

"It's no small secret that our organization along with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and a handful of other agencies brings a substantial amount of conservation funding into Rappahannock County each year," said Greg Wichelns, CSWCD Manager. "A tremendous amount of good work has been done here thanks to the strong commitment of many producers. To see a local organization step forward with further support is encouraging. I'd like to see more of that in our other counties."

For more information, please contact David Massie of the CSWCD at (540) 825-8591 or Don Loock of the Piedmont Environmental Council at (540) 522-4222.