From staff reports

LEWISTOWN — Funding is now available for Mifflin County landowners interested in installing cattle exclusion fencing and/or tree plantings along streams. The Mifflin County Conservation District was recently awarded three new grants, totaling $250,000, to help landowners in Mifflin County design, install, and maintain comprehensive riparian buffer projects throughout Mifflin County.

Through these grants, funding is available to install livestock exclusion fencing and associated best management practices (BMPs) such as grassed waterways, water diversions, stabilized stream crossings, stabilized animal walkways, and alternative watering systems. Funding is also available for planting trees and shrubs along streams or waterways. Trees play a vital role in the health of a stream by improving bank stability, lowering water temperatures, and contributing organic matter as the basis of the food chain, but they can also benefit the landowner too. MCCD has been installing Multi-Functional Riparian (streamside) Forest Buffers as part of a Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant program. Through this grant, landowners are encouraged to install income-producing buffers to provide supplemental income in addition to improving natural resources.

Through these programs, landowners can also install fish habitat and bank stabilization structures at sites where current habitat is degraded and severe streambank erosion is occurring. The MCCD also has funding to help manage/maintain these projects after installation.

For more information, please call Trevor Weaver at the Mifflin County Conservation District (717) 953-3137.