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Producers who have experienced extensive damage to agriculture land from the February 2003 ice storm and flooding may
be eligible for assistance under the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP).
The Gilmer-Calhoun County FSA Office will be taking applications for ECP March 17 - April 18, 2003. Producers that
have already begun restoration measures, such as emergency repair of fences to contain livestock, must file an application by
MARCH 31 to be eligible for assistance.
The following ECP Cost-Share practices have been approved:
REMOVING DEBRIS FROM FARMLAND - This practice provides cost-sharing for labor and equipment to remove
fallen trees and limbs from farm roadways and fields.
RESTORING PERMANENT FENCES - This practice provides cost-sharing for labor, equipment and materials to repair
or rebuild fences damaged by the storm. (Cost share rates vary depending on the age of the fence damaged.)
RESTORING STRUCTURES AND OTHER INSTALLATIONS - This practice provides cost
sharing to repair ponds and watering troughs, etc. It does not provide cost-sharing for barns
and storage buildings.
While ECP has been approved for both Gilmer and Calhoun Counties no funds have yet been allocated. Therefore, the
office will accept applications and conduct field inspections but no cost-share can be provided until funding is received from
Washington.
Applications for this program will be taken at the FSA Office in the Post Office Building in Glenville, 201 E. Main St., Rm.
122. Producers will need to identify the damaged property on aerial photography available in the FSA Office.
On-site inspections of the damaged area will be conducted by FSA personnel.
NOTE: Before cost share assistance can be paid, it must be determined damage is beyond the farmers normal maintenance
and "be so costly to rehabilitate that Federal assistance is or will be required to return the land to productive agricultural
use."
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race,
color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital or familial status. (Not all
prohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of
program information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc) should contact the USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600
(voice and TDD).
To file a complaint, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Ave.,
SW. Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and
employer.
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