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ROGERS COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT
STRIVING TO CONSERVE NATURAL RESOURCES THROUGH EDUCATION AND PRACTICES |
2008 Annual Report
Conservation Cost-Share Program The conservation district administers the Oklahoma Conservation Cost Share Program for Rogers County. This past year we administered program year 9 funds in which we received $20,000. From this amount we were able to fund eight agreements which included; seven ponds and one pasture and nutrient management practice. To date there have been six cooperators complete their practices. The local cooperators have received payments for program year 9 for the total amount of $15,698.75. The cooperators’ share was $19,325.50. We plan to participate in the program again this year if it becomes available. There is still a lot of interest in the program amongst our cooperators. Many need ponds (some of which need tanks and fencing) and there is still a need for pasture planting and nutrient management along with other practices. The Oklahoma Legislature established the program in 1998 requiring annual funding from the legislature. Since the beginning of the program, contracts have been developed in Rogers County providing $113,553.52 in cost share funds for conservation practices, such as, grass planting, nutrient management, ponds, freeze-proof tanks and fencing, and grade stabilization structures. Landowners have provided $114,297.91 for their share of the cost of the conservation practices that totaled $203,812.03 The conservation district board obtains input from citizens and other local agencies to determine which conservation practices will be included in the program each year. Watershed ProgramA portion of northeast Rogers County lies within the Pryor Creek Watershed. The Rogers County Conservation District is the sponsor for the project which has six flood control structures. The conservation district works with NRCS in making annual inspections of these flood control dams and providing maintenance work on the dams including, clearing trees from the dam and earthen spillway, beaver control, repairing erosion problems, mowing and maintaining good stands of grass on the dams and earthen spillways, and keeping the inlet tower of the principal spillway cleared of debris. The structures operated properly during the heavy rains this year. The primary goal of the district’s watershed program is making sure the dams function as they were designed and remain safe.
Abandoned Mine Land ProgramRogers County has approximately one-half of all abandoned mine land in Oklahoma. We have worked closely, for many years, with the Oklahoma Conservation Commission and the Natural Resources Conservation Service to eliminate many hazards left from abandoned coal mines. To date 51 projects have been reclaimed for a total of 1,391acres. Reclamation is funded through a federal tax of $0.35 per ton which is collected on currently mined coal. OCC continues to reclaim hazardous sites in Rogers County as funds become available. In fiscal year 2008, reclamation began on one site. |