1. Split Method Events for Practices 314 Brush Management and 315 Herbaceous Weed Control Steve Smarik Jason Kepler

2. 2 Brush Management has 10- year life span Herbaceous Weed Control has 5-year life span

3. 3 Contractually, NRCS provides financial assistance for conservation practices no more than once per the life span of the practice. This is problematic for control methods that require multiple applications NHQ has resisted altering the life span of these practices to one year

4. 4 314 Brush Management and 315 Herbaceous Weed Control These practices entails the control of vegetation by:  Treating an area up to three times during a multi-year period  The vegetation can be treated with one method or by a combination of methods (chemical, mechanical)  Woody or herbaceous vegetation will be treated at least twice to fully control  Herbicide volumes are typically reduced for the last treatment to kill resprouting stems, vegetation that survived the first treatments or newly sprouted seedlings

5. 5 Points to Remember  Practice would be scheduled in contract for final year of application  Track work as completed, even if prior to contract schedule  NRCS cannot certify and release payment until a practice is 100% complete  Split-method event 314 & 315 can be spread out over 3 years  Potential 2 – 3 years of management applied without payment  NRCS Program participants must apply or commence a practice within 12 months of contract being signed  Other practices should be included in contract  Wildlife management, habitat restoration, watering facilities, etc

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