§9-8A-7. Eligible soil and water conservation practices.

The following soil and water conservation practices shall be eligible for cost-share grants of the allocated funds:

(1) REDUCED TILLAGE SYSTEMS. Reduced tillage practices, used in conjunction with row crop production to reduce sediment damage and soil depletion caused by wind or water, including planting of seasonal noncash cover crops.

(2) NO-TILL SYSTEMS. A form of noninversion tillage that retains protective amounts of residue on the surface throughout the year.

(3) CRITICAL AREA PLANTINGS. stablishment of vegetative planting to control sediment movement from severely eroding areas by stabilizing the soil. These plantings would include vegetation such as trees, shrubs, vines, grasses or legumes.

(4) DIVERSIONS. A channel with a supporting ridge on the lower side constructed across the slope to conduct excess runoff water to a suitable outlet.

(5) FIELD WINDBREAKS. A strip or belt of trees or shrubs established within or adjacent to a field to reduce sediment damage and soil depletion caused by wind.

(6) GRADE STABILIZATION STRUCTURES. An earthen dam or embankment with a mechanical outlet (pipe conduit, drop spillway or chute outlet) to stabilize the flowing grade or control head cutting in a natural or constructed channel.

(7) GRASS STRIPS. A strip of close-growing perennial vegetation within or adjacent to a field to reduce sediment damage and soil depletion caused by wind.

(8) GRASSED WATERWAY or OUTLETS. A natural or constructed waterway or outlet, shaped and graded on which suitable vegetation is established, to conduct excess surface runoff water from terraces, diversions or natural watershed basins.

(9) PASTURE AND HAYLAND PLANTINGS. The establishment of long-term stands of adapted species of perennial forage plants, to control excessive water erosion, by converting land from row crop production to permanent vegetative cover.

(10) TERRACES. An earthen barrier or embankment constructed across the field slope using a combination of a ridge and channel to reduce field erosion, and trap sediment. Types of terraces commonly referenced to as broad based, narrow based, grassed backslope, basin, level, gradient and parallel are eligible for allocated funds.

(11) UNDERGROUND OUTLETS. A conduit installed beneath the ground surface to collect surface water from terraces, diversions, water and sediment basins, and convey the water to a suitable outlet.

(12) WATER AND SEDIMENT CONTROL BASINS. A short earthen embankment with an underground outlet, constructed across the slope in minor watercourses to reduce erosion and trap sediment.

(13) WATERSHED AND LAGOON PROJECTS.

(14) REFORESTATION of unproductive or highly erodable lands.

(15) ESTABLISHMENT AND IMPROVEMENT OF TREE NURSERIES and cultivation and protection of permanent forest stands and of seedlings for use in reforestation projects.

(16) ANIMAL WASTE CONTROL FACILITIES. A facility for storing and handling livestock and poultry waste and controlling surface run-off water to permit the recycling of animal waste onto the land in a manner that will abate pollution that would otherwise result from existing livestock or poultry operations.

(17) OTHER PRACTICES conducive to soil and water conservation in the state as approved by the commission.

(Acts 1985, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 85-123, p. 169, §9; Acts 1986, No. 86-426, p. 775, §8.)