NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State
University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665
February 5, 1998
North Dakota landowners can now apply for funds to cover up to 100 percent of the cost of planting a windbreak to catch snow and keep it from blocking adjacent county and township roads. Information and application materials for the new Living Snow Fence program are available at county offices of the North Dakota State University Extension Service and all Soil Conservation District Offices, where application can be made.
A snow fence of trees and shrubs can capture 12 times more snow than a slatted or picket fence, yet is 90 percent cheaper to install and maintain, according to Larry Kotchman, state forester.
The goal of the new Living Snow Fence program is to plant 100 miles of snow fences in North Dakota by the year 2001. These fences will reduce the labor and equipment costs associated with plowing roads.
"They also catch snow, keep it from reducing visibility, and improve driving conditionswhile at the same time beautifying the landscape, providing habitat for wildlife, holding soil in place and reducing water runoff," says Duane Hauck, member of the Centennial Trees Advisory Committee and a district director for the NDSU Extension Service.
Landowners interested in more information about the program may contact their local office of the Soil Conservation Service or NDSU Extension Service.
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Source: Duane Hauck (701) 231-7171
Editor: Barry Brissman (701) 231-7866