The Capital Resource Conservation and Development Area Council, Inc. this week announced a new funding program that will assist farmers in Southcentral Pennsylvania to install fencing along streams.

The program, called the Regional Riparian Initiative, provides cost share funding for riparian fencing on livestock farms, with priority being placed on those using rotational grazing practices.

The project area includes: Adams, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry, and York counties.

Riparian buffer projects that are eligible to receive financial assistance under the Regional Riparian Initiative (RRI) consist of rotational grazing projects, non-rotational grazing projects in combination with state, federal, or private programs, or non-rotational grazing projects as a stand-alone.

All projects applying for funds under this initiative will follow the same procedure, regardless of whether they are associated with a rotational grazing management system or not. The applicant will complete a submittal form, a project cost estimate form with appropriate documentation for each project then submit to the Capital RC&D Office for review and approval.

“The Capital RC&D Council is proud to be a part of the Regional Riparian Initiative and Southcentral Project Grass as a way to provide service to our farmers and to encourage local waterway protection” stated Susan Richards, Capital RC&D Program Manager.

For more information or to apply for the RRI program, please contact your local Project Grass Coordinator or Susan Richards, Capital RC&D Program Manager at 717-948-6633 or send email to: susan.richards@rcdnet.net or visit the Capital RC&D website.

6/2/2006