WHIP Ranking Criteria Items

Updated 09/18/2008

K. Fencing (382): Woodland, Streams, Wetlands, Buffers, Karst Basins, and Wildlife Land

• Cost-share and points are only eligible for fencing of streams, woods, wetlands, buffers, karst basins, and wildlife lands.
• Grass plantings may only be fenced when livestock are permanently excluded.

• WHIP eligibility for fencing is limited to operations where livestock are present during the evaluation period or have been present during the past 12 months.

• Fencing streams and wetlands (hydric or inclusion soils with trees) requires a minimum setback or buffer area of 20 feet for 80% of the fence length. Measurement will be from the top of the bank of streams or the drip line of trees bordering a wetland. If trees extend > 20’ from the top of the bank, fence placement will be at or near the edge of the forested area.

• Fencing woodland requires a minimum setback or buffer area of 20’ feet from the drip line for 80% of the fence length.

• Field border, filter strip, or riparian buffer points may be counted for required fencing setbacks only when cost associated with establishing the buffer, through planting or herbicide application, will be incurred.

• Permanent and temporary fence shall be installed according to the NRCS Fence (382) standard.

• Cost-sharing is authorized for boundary fences only where streams or wetlands serve as property boundaries.

• Points may not be awarded for fencing ponds. However, cost-share may be awarded for fencing ponds in conjunction with pipeline and tank installation but only when livestock are being excluded from a stream or wetland currently being used as a water source. Award cost share for fencing ponds under section "M. Component Practices" of the ranking criteria.

< Back to WHIP Ranking Criteria....