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Implementation Support Project in the Richland-Chambers Reservoir Watershed

Richland Chambers Reservoir was listed on the 1999 State of Texas 303(d) List as threatened due to excessive atrazine. In November 2000 the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) initiated a CWA Section 319(h) project with the Navarro Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) to provide technical and financial assistance for the purpose of developing and implementing WQMPs to reduce atrazine runoff into the Richland Chambers Reservoir. This project entitled, "North Central Texas Atrazine Remediation Project (TSSWCB Project 00-5)" made cost-share funds available to twenty-five corn and sorghum producers and provided a fulltime technician to administer the program and conduct educational activates.

Because the Navarro SWCD has more requests for financial assistance on high priority
management practices than it can funded through TSSWCB Project 00-5, this project has been initiated. It is estimated that thirty addition producers could benefit from financial assistance.

The purpose of this project is to continue the efforts of the TSSWCB and Navarro SWCD to
reduce atrazine loadings into the Richland Chambers Reservoir. Following are actions that will be undertaken by this project to reduce atrazine runoff to these lakes:

  • Provide technical assistance to corn and sorghum producers on appropriate BMPs to
    reduce atrazine runoff.
  • Provide educational events describing methods for reducing atrazine
    (pesticide/herbicide) runoff.
  • Provide financial assistance to corn and sorghum producers that implement BMPs to
    reduce atrazine runoff.

Best management practices (BMPs) to reduce the runoff of atrazine will be implemented through the development of Water Quality Management Plans (WQMPs). The objective of WQMP implementation is to achieve a level of pollution prevention or abatement determined to be consistent with State water quality standards. Highest priorities will be given to the
implementation of cost effective pollution abatement practices. TSSWCB and SWCDs will
determine which landowners receive technical assistance for the development and
implementation of WQMPs. Potential BMPs may include:

  • Buffer strips
  • Integrated pest management (e.g., sprayer calibration, incorporation banding, follow
    label)
  • Terraces and grassed waterways
  • Conservation tillage
  • Contour farming with strip cropping or buffer strips
  • Conversion of cropland to grassland

Project Goals/Objectives: This project will provide corn and sorghum producers in the Richland Chambers Reservoir watershed with an opportunity to participate in water quality educational activities, technical assistance, and financial assistance to implement Best Management Practices to reduce the runoff of atrazine.

Project Location: Richland Chambers Reservoir Watershed, Segment 0836

Project Costs: Federal ($430,279); Non-Federal Match ($109,000); Total Project ($539,279)

Project Participant(s): TSSWCB and Navarro SWCD

Project Workplan: 03-12

Project Final Report: 03-12

"Protecting and Enhancing Natural Resources since 1939."

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