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Recent improvements within the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Soil and Water Conservation Program have streamlined the process of providing almost $27 million from the parks, soils and water sales tax to implement soil and water conservation practices to control erosion and protect water resources in all 114 of Missouri’s counties. Landowners will have access to $26.6 million in fiscal year 2010, which is an additional $1.2 million over the $25.4 million available in fiscal year 2009.
“These financial efficiencies will increase the landowners’ share of the parks, soils and water sales tax. In our fiscal year 2010 budget, 62 cents of every tax dollar dedicated to soil and water conservation will be used for erosion-control practices,” said Department of Natural Resources Director Doyle Childers. “This is an increase from 59 cents over the fiscal year 2009 budget. These erosion-control practices fight the loss of topsoil, which affects everyone. Missouri loses about 71 million tons of soil each year, and thinner topsoil decreases the productivity of soil, which means lost productivity to agricultural landowners and higher prices for consumers.”
Missouri citizens continue to provide overwhelming support for soil and water conservation efforts. In 2006, voters approved a 10-year extension of the one-tenth-of- one-percent sales tax with more than 70 percent voting in favor of the tax. The Department of Natural Resources has the statutory responsibility of administering the policies and general landowner programs developed by the Soil and Water Districts Commission for the conservation and protection of Missouri’s soil and water resources. Soil and water conservation programs are delivered to landowners through Missouri’s 114 local soil and water conservation districts.
The increase in funds available to landowners was the result of several efficiency changes and the elimination of the soil survey section within the Soil and Water Conservation Program. These changes have not only led to more funds being directed to soil and water conservation practices, but they have also improved the application and payment process for landowners. With enhanced computer capabilities and streamlined processes, applications for conservation practices can be processed and payments made to landowners in a more efficient and timely manner.
Increased funding to local soil and water conservation districts will increase the rate of installation of traditional practices, such as terraces, grassed waterways and ponds, and also provide incentives and technical assistance to landowners to implement practices designed specifically to improve water quality. Properly implemented practices, such as nutrient and pest management, will reduce chemical runoff and result in improved water quality in Missouri’s streams and rivers and reduced production costs for landowners.
“When I became program director, the Soil and Water Conservation Program was in need of some efficiency changes,” said Bill Foster, director of the Soil and Water Conservation Program. “Over the years, there was a gradual decline in the percentage of funds directed to cost-share practices and an increase in the percentage of funds going toward administration of the program and the districts. We instituted changes that created a more efficient way of doing business. This allowed the department to increase the funding available to landowners while providing increased funding to improve district employees’ salaries and benefits at the same time.”
“All of these changes have improved the effectiveness of the department’s Soil and Water Conservation Program,” Childers said. “Missouri is a role model for other states, and our citizens can be proud of the work that goes into saving Missouri’s soil and water resources. I encourage agricultural landowners to take advantage of this great voluntary program by contacting their local soil and water conservation district.”
Since the initial passage of Missouri’s parks, soils and water sales tax in 1984, the Department of Natural Resources has provided $463 million to Missouri agricultural landowners to protect the state’s soil and water resources. With the department’s help, Missouri landowners have saved in excess of 167 million tons of soil over the past 23 years.
For more information, contact the Department of Natural Resources’ Soil and Water Conservation Program at 573-751-4932 or the department toll free at 800-361-4827.