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Partners |
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Fremont SWCD works with many different non-profit organizations and state and federal agencies on a daily basis. These partners help local landowners with everything from cost-share programs to purchasing land for public use. Following is a list of groups that the District works with and an explanation of Fremont SWCD's relationship with that organization. |
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USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS): This agency has employees in every Service Center. Brian Gross, District Conservationist, and Fred Bolton, Soil Conservation Technician, are NRCS Employees. The NRCS is also responsible for funding many of the big programs that the Service Center offers, including WRP, EWP, EQIP, WHIP, GRP. See a detailed explanation of these programs on the program page. · Brian Gross - District Conservationist · (712) 374-2014, fax: 374-2563 |
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Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship-Division of Soil Conservation (IDALS-DSC): Providing both staff and program dollars to the conservation effort. Located in the Sidney Service Center are State Secretary Tammy Grebert and Soil Conservation Technician Kevin Brannen, both employees of the DSC. The DSC distributes cost-share money for terrace systems through the Iowa Financial Incentives Program (FIP) and wildlife with Resources Enhancement and Protection Program (REAP). · (712)374-2014, fax: 374-2563 · http://www.agriculture.state.ia.us/soilconservation.html |
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Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The EPA has been a major partner in Fremont County's wetlands program: the Two Rivers Project. EPA Region VII awarded Fremont SWCD a grant in 1999 to hire a Wetland Specialist to work with landowners on Wetland Reserve Program and Emergency Watershed Program Easements. Most of the salary and equipment purchased for the administration of these programs within the district are paid for with EPA funds. |
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Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR): The DNR has long been a partner with the Soil and Water Conservation District, providing advice and financial assistance for the District and landowners. The DNR has also been working with the District and the NRCS to purchase some of the floodplain easements within the county to expand their Riverton Wildlife Area. · Carl Priebe, DNR Biologist · (712) 374-3133, fax: 374-2563 |
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US Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE): The Army Corps of Engineers has long been an agency in this area. In the 1920's, the ACOE straightened the lower reaches of the Nishnabotna River, then conducted the stabilization of the Missouri River in the 1930's and 1940's. Compare the Missouri River at Bartlett, Iowa, in 1938 (top) and in the 1990's (bottom) on the right. The federal levee system was then created on the Missouri River after the flood of 1952. Now, the Corps of Engineers, is looking to the future in a whole new way. The ACOE is looking for willing sellers along the Missouri River for mitigation projects, including some of the wetland and floodplain easements that the NRCS already has within Fremont County. They are conducting large restorations, creating sandbar habitat and back-water areas for wildlife habitat, as well as maintaining a navigable waterway for barge traffic. · For Mitigation questions, contact Jerry Smith, Reality Specialist · (402) 221-4319, fax: 221-3025 |
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US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS): The Fish and Wildlife Service offers advice and financial assistance to landowners who are interested in improving wildlife habitat on their land, especially when the land is not eligible for USDA programs. Located at Desoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, Refuge Operations Specialist Steve Van Riper is in charge of cost-share funding for Fremont County and much of southwestern Iowa. Steve is a very good source of information for wildlife issues, especially waterfowl/wetland habitat. · Steve Van Riper |