Definition

Shallow water areas for wildlife is creating, maintaining, or enhancing areas, for food and cover for waterfowl, shorebirds, and other wildlife associated with shallow water habitats on land retired from agricultural production.

Purpose

The purpose of this practice is to provide water for wildlife for the majority of the year.  This practice must establish a shallow water area with an average depth of 6-18 inches for a minimum of 6 months of the year for all years. 

Where used

Shallow Water Area for Wildlife is used on cropland retired from agricultural production which are conducive to developing shallow water habitat.  Areas for consideration are those areas in an agricultural field that may be flood prone, hard to farm, low yielding sections of the crop field.  This practice especially applies to those crop fields that have not be precision leveled.  Any cropland field suitable to establish a shallow water habitat is eligible. 

A 20-120 foot perennial native vegetative buffer is required around the practice.  This can be native grass or trees.  The buffer and shallow water area shall not exceed 10 acres per FSA tract. 

The practice may be established only once per FSA tract, up to 10 acres in size including the buffer acres.

Wildlife

This practice is well suited for wildlife food and habitat.  Selection of cover species will affect what type of wildlife will utilize these acres.  Supplementing the planned cover with other wildlife practices or plantings will further enhance the cover.

Planning Considerations

1. Select plant species and varieties best adapted to the climate and the soils in the field being established to permanent vegetative cover.
   
   
2. Consider the wildlife species to be benefited in selection of vegetative cover species
   
   
3. Consider existing wildlife habitat on land areas surrounding the field being established to permanent vegetation cover

Financial Incentives

This practice offers 10-year soil rental payments, a 50% cost-share to establish the practice and a 40% Practice Incentive Payment for the cost of establishing the practice. 

Wildlife Species Benefiting

This practice will be used to promote the conservation of migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, and declining species, resident wood ducks, along with species of special concern.   Many reptiles and amphibians will also benefit from installation of this practice. 

Mid-Management Activities

FSA provides a 50% cost-share to perform management practices that will keep the practice acres producing premium wildlife habitat.  The farm producer may select from a menu of practices to conduct under his contract.  The following mid-management activities are offered in order to keep the shallow water area as premium habitat over the length of the contract:

• Prescribed Burning
• Light Strip Disking (with legume overseeding)
• Heavy Disking