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Show Volume VI, Issue V THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 7 June 15, 2002 Farmers Protect Water Supplies and Wildlife Through Conservation (NAPSI)-The next time you’re on the road and pass a farm, you may want to give a wave of thanks to the farmer who owns that land. With an innovative new program helping farmers to farm their best land and set marginal land aside for conservation, farmers are protecting our nation’s drinking water and restoring wildlife habitat. The voluntary program, the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), was created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and operates differently in each state. CREP combines federal resources with funds and expertise from local government agencies and nonprofit partners to address specific conservation needs in the area. How CREP Works CREP encourages farmers to convert highly erodible land or other environmentally sensitive acreage to vegetative cover, such as native grasses and wildlife plantings. Farmers receive an annual rental payment for the term of the multi-year contract. The financial incentives encourage farmers and ranchers to remove lands from agricultural production for 10 to 15 years. Through the program, farmers and ranchers make small improvements to their land to prevent runoff into streams, and to provide habitat for wildlife. These improvements include buffering streams with native grasses and trees, restoring wetlands, and fencing livestock away from waterways. “If you look at it strictly as a business decision, it’s a no-brainer to do it,” says Gerald Garber who is enrolled in the Virginia CREP. More than 309,000 acres of American farmland are now enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program. The program has shown documented success in safeguarding topsoil, improving water quality, and increasing numbers of wildlife. Avid hunters and conservationists appreciate the returning duck, pheasant, sparrow, meadowlark, elk, deer, and pronghorn. CREP has also brought prairie chickens and grouse to areas long since abandoned by the wildlife. One of the most ambitious CREP challenges has been to help clean up the Chesapeake Bay. Since Maryland signed the first CREP agreement in 1997, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Virginia have all developed CREPs to help protect the Chesapeake Bay. Even small scale CREP programs can produce big benefits. New York’s 5,000-acre program is saving New York City billions of dollars by keeping the city’s water supply clean. The alternative would be to build a water filtration plant at an estimated construction cost of $6 to $8 billion, plus operating costs of $1 million a day. In addition to financial incentives, farmers are drawn to CREP as a new way to continue their legacy as good stewards of the land. “There is still some work to do in keeping up the habitat, but it’s a labor of love,” says Doug Parsons, who is enrolled in the Minnesota CREP. “Sometimes when I come home from work, my wife and I like to take a drive to the wetlands and just sit and watch the wildlife.” Twenty different states have CREP agreements, and many more are considering the program to help conserve land, protect water supplies, improve natural habitat, reclaim fisheries and improve the quality of our rivers. “The ecology guys don’t seem to understand that farmers are the original ecology guys,” says Ed Jones who is enrolled in the Washington CREP. “We are the ones who have to depend on the ground to return for us, and if we abuse it, it doesn’t do that.” A WIN-WIN SITUATION for farmers and the environment is a program helping farmers build conserva- tion buffers. The program, CREP, is being called a big success. For more information, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/conservation, or call your local UACD Zone Coordinator Ken Mills at 801-7103708, or SCD Supervisor Eugene Bailey at 745-6639. Selling? Buying? Relocating? Gage Froerer & Associates C21Utah.com or call (800) 879-5170 We are here for all of your Real Estate Needs! Gage Froerer Broker/Owner 391-4233 SOUTH FORK BUSINESS PARK, Chevron and Ace Hardware Businesses & Inventory, Real Estate, and leased properties. 12,600 sq.ft. Built in 1998. Contracts considered. $1,490,000. Or buy just the businesses and lease property. Great corner property lots of traffic. Just minutes from Snowbasin Ski Resort and Pineview Reservoir Call Gage 391-4233 or 621-0505 MLS # 275812 Doug 698-2770 Casey 698-4312 Max 920-6890 Joan 745-0444 2405 N. Hwy. 162, EDEN New & Reduced $299,000!!! Super traffic exposure! First commercial property as you enter Eden from Pineview. Unlimited potential uses for this 1.17 acre property w/ handicap entrance. Almost 800 sqft., hardwood floors and lots of windows. Watch for the OPEN signs and stop by or call Joan @675-0444 or 745-0444. MLS#295313 $300,000 Under Appraisal HUNTSVILLE, Immaculate home with HUNTSVILLE FORECLOSURE HUGE The Ultimate Horse Ranch - 12.78 acres of stream and breathtaking views, 7(+) acres, 4250 sq.ft. with beautiful hardwood floors and great open kitchen, dining and living area with deck and gas fireplace. Great horse property. $529,000. For more information call Casey @ 698-4312 MLS# 277664 2-story home, unbelievable views of Pineview Lake. 5322 sq.ft., 1.08 acres, lots of hardwood floors and great open kitchen and family room, 2 double car garages. $449,000. For more information, call Max @ 920-6890 MLS#267396 prime pasture, 4800 sqft. Buxton custom home built in 1998, 120’x100’ (12000sqft.) heated indoor riding arena in a gated area. The seller is giving this place away at $300,000 under appraisal. JUST $849,000. For private showing call Joan 745-0444 or Gage 391-4233. This is a STEAL! MLS# 275764 *** PRICE REDUCED *** *** PRICE REDUCED *** NORDIC VALLEY Magnificent custom HUNTSVILLE ACREAGE, Fantastic home home on 6.92 acres features “GREAT” room, Lg. gourmet kitchen, formal dining w/wet bar. Beam ceiling LR w/fireplace. 1600 sqft. outbuilding. Just $549,900 Call Joan @675-0444 or Gage @391-4233 MLS#295277 on 6.83 acres of prize land that could be subdivied. The home has an addition and has been totally remodeled inside. Also included are a detached garage and storage shed. You really need to see this one. $395,000. For more information. Call Gage @ 391-4233 MLS# 287943 *** PRICE REDUCED *** *** PRICE REDUCED *** NORDIC VALLEY, Beautiful log home on EDEN, Super clean home with one level living. Sitting on .70 of an acre this 2423 sq.ft. home features hardwood floors vaulted ceilings, and deck. Really great neighborhood and views. $194,900. For more information. Call Gage @ 391-4233 MLS#279914 an acre of horse property. 3756 sq.ft. with full wrap deck and awesome views. Master suite with jacuzzi tub. You can ski home from Nordic Ski Resort. $274,900 For more information call Doug 698-2770 MLS#189207 LIBERTY, Unique log home with huge stone hearth and wood burning stove. Very open and rustic. Large family room over the garage. Magnificent setting with beautiful views everywhere. Call Doug @ 698-2770 or Joan 745-0444 MLS#281153 OGDEN CANYON LIVING! The Ogden River just outside your living room, bedroom and the walkout basement family room. Fish whenever you like. This home has 2030 sq.ft. 3 bdrms, 1 3/4 bath.. $174,000. Joan @ 745-0444 MLS#228315 |