Federal program offers assistance in Jefferson and Orange counties 

By LYNN MONTGOMERY | East Texas Edition

Damaged structures, such as this barn near Winnie, are not covered under FSA’s emergency conservation program. If the barn had been completely blown away, the program’s funds could have been used to replace it. -- Courtesy photo

Dec. 1, 2005 - An emergency conservation program (ECP) for two Southeast Texas counties hardest hit by Hurricane Rita was implemented by USDA Farm Service Agency in an effort to help producers with repair costs.

FSA officials from the Jefferson/Orange County Farm Service Agency related the news, and its stipulations, to producers attending the recent Southeast Texas Beef Symposium in Beaumont.

Darrell Guidry, FSA cousnty executive director, stressed to the audience that to “be eligible for the program, you have got  to be an agricultural producer who sells an agricultural commodity commercially.”

For example, if a producer owns a hay meadow but leases it to someone else and that person cuts the hay and sells, the person who owns the meadow would not be eligible for the program’s funds, but the person who cuts the hay and sells it would, according to Guidry. 

Producers were told they must make an appointment at the Jefferson/Orange County FSA office in Beaumont to apply, and they must bring a copy of the land title or lease.

There are other criteria needed when applying. Pictures showing damages done by the disaster must be provided. Producers must certify that the ECP practice has been complete and provide receipts before payment is made. Minimum qualifying cost is $500. Producers will be paid 100 percent cost shares not to exceed an amount determined by the county committee for Hurricane Rita, provided funds available. Maximum County Committee approval authority is $50,000 per person. 

With the cost shares, Guidry explained woodland areas are not eligible for debris removal unless surrounded with a boundary fence for livestock. Cost shares are not authorized for stump removal. Debris must be disposed of by burial, burning or hauling off. If buried a FSA-850 which is an environmental checklist is required. 

�All fencing must be barbed wire, woven wire or high tensile wire material and must be built with at least 50 percent new material. Receipts are required,� Guidry said.

Some “fencing” is not covered under the cost sharing plan. Wooden fences, electric fences, holding pens, corrals or feedlots are eligible, according to Guidry. 

Guidry also informed the symposium audience that the government program was specific to how trees and barns were damaged. He said that if a tree had fallen, completely with the root ball, then they would pay for cleanup; but if the tree had splintered off and left the roots in the ground, only the part that had splintered would be eligible for payment. If the barn had blown away, they would pay; but if the barn collapsed, they would not. The reasoning is livestock can continue to graze around the object. 

Producers have six months from the date the ECP practice is approved to complete the practice.

For more information about the ECP program, contact the Jefferson/Orange County FSA office at 409-860-7293, ext. 2