Leon River Restoration - an example of 'on-the-ground conservation'

By MANDY SPIKES | Central Texas Edition

Steve Manning looks over the current work that has been done on the Leon River Restoration project, just outside of Gatesville. Manning recently received the Chuck Yeager Award from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation in recognition of his leadership role as the project officer on the project. -- Photo by Mandy Spikes

April 17, 2003 -- Steve Manning of Gatesville recently received the prestigious Chuck Yeager Award from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). This award, which is given to a person or an organization that creatively brings together multiple private, state and federal partners to accomplish on-the-ground conservation successes, was presented in recognition of his leadership role as the project officer on the Leon River Restoration project in Coryell and Hamilton counties.

"This got started when the Central Texas Cattlemen's Association received a grazing lease on Fort Hood," explained Manning. "The association was doing brush control work. In the past, brush control was thought of as a way to help control water problems.

"Since we were working on Fort Hood and were the sponsors for the brush control project, we had to deal with certain strict regulation requirements. In the beginning of 1999, both Governor Bush and Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs came to look at the Fort Hood project. It was strongly suggested to us that we use the Fort Hood brush control methods on private land. That is how I became involved with the Leon River Restoration project."

As project officer, he incorporated the Central Texas Cattleman's Association, as well as other stockholders including the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD), Environmental Defense, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Nature Conservancy, the Farm Bureau, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Texas Department of Agriculture.

"I took the lead from the association and started to get the groups together. This took two years. It was during this time that we also got the money for the program and laid out a specific plan for the different areas.

"In the spring and early summer of 2001, we began working on the project. The NFWF was one of the first organizations to send us grant money. The first grant we received from them was for $300,000 and was to be used for clearing the brush and working on the land."

Grants for the project were awarded to improve water quality and increase water quantity throughout the watershed. This is being accomplished through the removal of non-native invasive Ashe-juniper and the restoration of native grasses.

After the land is worked on, the project allows potential landowners to apply for a portion of the land. Once the landowners are chosen, they are given a certain block of land.

"The landowners must sign a five year contract and agree to the terms and conditions. The nice thing about it is that 85 percent of the cost is paid for by the project, so the rancher only has to pay for the remaining portion of 15 percent.

"At the moment, we have completed work on the first watershed, which is located in Coryell Creek. It was 6,800 acres and was blocked out to 17 landowners.

"We are currently working on the second watershed and beginning to sign up landowners. This watershed is located on Bee House Creek, which is also located in Coryell County. We will soon start working on the third watershed, which will be located in Hamilton County."

"As one of our most valuable natural resources, dependable water supplies are important to the economic development of Texas and the survival of our rural communities," said Combs. "That is why we must not only look at ways to conserve, but also enhance our water resources; and why TDA is actively involved in helping obtain funding from private, federal and state resources for watershed enhancements along the Leon River."