South Central Texas

Objective

In several streams in south central Texas, low dissolved oxygen levels indicate that existing conditions are not optimal for aquatic life. In many of those same streams, concentrations of bacteria pose a potential health risk for swimmers. In response to these conditions, the TCEQ Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Program initiated a project to evaluate the extent and severity of low dissolved oxygen concentrations and high bacteria concentrations in the water bodies. TCEQ will be developing TMDLs for Elm Creek, Sandies Creek, Peach Creek, Lower San Antonio River and Atascosa River to address these issues.

The use of EQIP for technical and financial assistance will leverage other federal (Clean Water Act Section 319h) and state programs to address water quality in the area and accelerate the TMDL implementation plan. The primary focus of EQIP funding would be toward protection of the streams from livestock through fencing, providing alternative water sources and promoting good grazing management on individual ranches.


Elm Creek - Elm Creek originates west of Nixon in the eastern part of Wilson County and flows eastward converging with Sandies Creek just west of the Sandies’ crossing with FM 1116. It includes portions of, Gonzales, Karnes, and Wilson Counties.

Sandies Creek - Sandies Creek originates in southwestern Guadalupe County and flows generally southeastward until it joins with the Guadalupe River just west of Cuero in DeWitt County. It includes portions of DeWitt, Gonzales, Karnes, Wilson and Guadalupe Counties.

Atascosa River - The Atascosa River is formed by the union of the north and west prongs of the river in extreme northwestern Atascosa County and flows into Live Oak County between Choke Canyon Reservoir and Three Rivers, where it joins the Frio River. The Atascosa River is primarily in Atascosa County, but also includes portions of Live Oak, Karnes, Wilson, Bexar, Frio, McMullen and Medina Counties.

Peach Creek - Peach Creek is located in the southern portion of the Guadalupe-Blanco River Basin. The Creek flows from south of Gonzales to northeast of Waelder in Gonzales County. The Peach Creek watershed includes portions of the Bastrop, Caldwell, Fayette, and Gonzales Counties.

Lower San Antonio River - The Lower San Antonio River is located near Falls City in Karnes County. Land uses are predominantly agricultural and ranching. The Lower San Antonio River includes portions of DeWitt, Goliad, Karnes, Refugio, and Victoria Counties.


The project areas include portions of these counties.

Resource Concern

Water Quality - Surface Water

Eligibility

Contract acreage is a contiguous livestock operation where at least a portion is located in the project area of the Lower San Antonio River, Peach Creek, Atascosa River, Sandies Creek, or Elm Creek. All planned practices must address acreage within one of the named watershed project areas. All applications will be accepted and ranked for possible funding.

Eligible Practices:

Fence (382)
Riparian Herbaceous Cover (390)
Riparian Forest Buffer (391)
Prescribed Grazing (528)
Pasture and Hayland Planting (512)
Pond (378)
Range Planting (550)
Water Well (642)
Watering Facility (614)

A practice is not eligible for EQIP cost share if 319 funds are available for the same practice.

Cost Share Rates:

Limited Resource Farmer/Rancher – 90 percent
Beginning Farmer/Rancher -50 percent
All Others - 50 percent

Practices will be cost shared based on the established county average cost of the practice.

Incentives

Prescribed Grazing (528)* - 7.50/Ac/Yr (3 yr. maximum)
Prescribed Grazing (528) – Within Riparian Zone 20.00/Ac/Yr (3 yr. maximum)
(Fence Required)

*Prescribed Grazing Plan must include complete management unit

Ranking Criteria:

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