Riparian Restoration and Protection Initiative

The Riparian Restoration and Protection Initiative (RRPI) was developed to improve water quality and wildlife habitat by excluding livestock from riparian areas. Livestock can trample stream banks, causing accelerated erosion and high sediment loads, which deplete needed stream side vegetation and loosen soil. Sediment can then enter the stream and have detrimental impacts on aquatic life and important related habitat. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), sediment causes the most water pollution in Pennsylvania. Limiting livestock access to stream banks has proven to be one of the best ways for a conservation-minded agriculturalist to prevent erosion and loss of productive land, as well as reduce nutrient runoff into the water. Stream bank fencing also allows vegetation to reestablish itself in riparian areas, thereby creating habitat for wildlife and providing shade for the stream.
   
In 2005, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) and the Sewickley Creek Watershed Association (SCWA) partnered to implement a DEP Growing Grant for stream bank fencing projects in the Sewickley Creek watershed. Funds from this grant have been coupled with federal funding programs to stretch the money further. Federal conservation programs used include the Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CCRP), the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP). The construction crew, California University Partners for Fish and Wildlife (CUP Partners), also contributes a cost-share to fencing costs.

Eight landowners have shown an interest in participating in this stream bank-fencing program. Thus far, two farms have had fencing completed, with a total of 2,208 feet of fence and two agricultural stream crossings have been constructed. Funding for these farms included SCWA’s Growing Greener grant, CUP Partners cost-share, and CCRP. The remaining landowners would construct an estimated 17,410 feet of fence and six agricultural stream crossings. Many of these landowners have signed-up for the CREP program. SCWA funds will be used to complement where CREP funding will not be used.