West Virginia Success Story

Riparian Area Protection Through Cooperation

Program or Category: Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)

Overview: A landowner in Upshur County had a problem and was in need of both technical and financial assistance. It seems that the landowner was having problems with her cattle crossing the Buckhannon River, which is the border of her farm on two sides, and going over on to the neighbors farm. Likewise the neighbor’s cattle would cross the river onto her farm. Needless to say both parties were not happy with this arrangement. The landowner was wondering what, if any programs there might be to assist her with building fence to prevent this. I explained the various cost-share programs we had that could possibility assist her with building exclusion fence. However, with approximately 10,000 feet of fence to build, even with cost-share it was going to be a financial hardship for the landowner that she was unwilling to accept. Knowing that the Fish and Wildlife Service had a fence building crew that would build exclusion fences to protect riparian wildlife habitat, under their Partners for Wildlife Program, in conjunction with the NRCS WHIP program, and grants from the California University of PA, at no cost to the landowner, they were contacted. The landowner was allowed to sign up for the WHIP program, where she received a contract. The F&WS agreed to build the fence, and things were underway.

Accomplishments: What was accomplished was that 9,924 feet of two–strand, hi-tensile electric fence, along with a solar fence charger, were installed along the river. This was all done at no cost to the landowner. The landowner also had no labor in the venture as the work was performed by the F&WS fencing crew. The money that the landowner would have received for the project had they done the work themselves was used to reimburse the Cal. U. of PA for their part in funding the F&WS project.

Program Benefits to Landowner: The benefit to the landowner was that it kept her cattle from wondering over to the neighbor’s property, but also keeps the neighbors cattle from wondering onto her property. This was all accomplished with no cost to the landowner in either money or labor. The landowner’s only responsibility being that she has to maintain the fence.

Program Benefits to Community: The benefits to the community were  that approximately 4.1 acres riparian wildlife habitat was protected from livestock; 8,600 ft. of stream bank was restored and protected and cattle will now be excluded from the river itself, thus helping to reduce the problems associated with water quality.

The project was a success and has accomplished several objectives, as noted. It is a great example of several different groups coming together to benefit not only the landowner, but wildlife and the community in general.

Contact Information:
Andy Sentz, District Conservationist
304-269-8431 ext 108
Andy.Sentz@wv.usda.gov

Weston Service Center−Serving Lewis and Upshur Counties
24 Gateway Drive
Weston, WV 26452
Phone (304) 269-8431 Fax (304) 269-7583