shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com April 12, 2016 • Page 9 The South Dakota Wetland Exchange BROOKINGS, S.D. - South Dakota’s first agricultural wetland mitigation bank may soon be open for business through the support of a number of South Dakota farm groups. The wetland mitigation bank program is designed to provide agricultural producers with an affordable option to meet their conservation compliance responsibilities by providing a platform where wetland credits can be bought and sold with the assistance of a dedicated third party. Designed by S.D. Farm Bureau through the use of a Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG), the framework for the banking program is currently under review by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). “The NRCS Wetland Mitigation Banking Program was authorized under the 2014 Agriculture Act (Farm Bill),” explained David Kringen, SDSU Extension Water Resources Field Specialist. Kringen went on to explain that this Wetland Mitigation Banking Program is intended for the express use of agricultural producers needing to comply with wetland conservation compliance provisions that were originally established under the 1985 Farm Bill. In 1985, in order to remain eligible for most USDA programs, producers had to certify that: 1) they had not planted or produced an ag commodity on a converted wetland, and 2) they had not manipulated a wetland to make ag production possible (i.e. removing trees and stumps). Options for wetland conservation compliance included: 1) avoid the wetland, 2) minimize any potential impact to the wetland, or 3) mitigate the wetland through on or offsite restoration, enhancement, or creation. If a producer wanted to mitigate, it was often left up to them to locate and restore/create a wetland of similar “function and value”, or made to compete for prohibitively expensive wetland credits with developers, the Department of Transportation, etc. With the help of the Wetland Mitigation Banking Program, funds will be made available to offset the costs incurred by third parties in establishing a wetland mitigation bank, or modifying an existing bank to meet NRCS requirements. These funds - up to $1 million per award - are made available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to states or regions with a high wetland conservation compliance workload. In South Dakota, the third party responsible for the first grant application of its kind will be the S.D. Farm Bureau in partnership with Dakota Wetland Partners (DWP). “This last entity, a private LLC, will provide the technical expertise for the day-today operations of the mitigation bank,” Kringen said. “Other supporting organizations include the SD Soybean Association and the SD Corn Growers Association.” The Mitigation Process The key tenet of the NRCS Wetland Mitigation Banking Program is to target agricultural wetlands by focusing on temporary and seasonal, isolated, degraded, cropped wetlands that typically get driven over, tilled, and sprayed each year. Providing that the bank framework is approved and the grant is awarded, the first step for producers interested in mitigation would be to contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) office to request a certified wetland determination. NRCS personnel will provide a wetland determination which identifies the location of the wetlands on the producer’s land and the scope of the required protection in order to maintain USDA program eligibility. Once a determination has been made, and at the producer’s invitation, DWP personnel will then visit with the producer to determine the number of credits to be mitigated (1 credit = 1 acre). It will also provide a list of wetland units for sale within the same regional geographic area, or sub-basin (Figure 1). Mitigation outside of a sub-basin where the wetland is located is not allowed. Selling Wetland Credits Landowners interested in selling wetland credits should contact DWP to determine: 1) the number of converted wetlands that the landowner is willing to reestablish, or 2) locations to create a new wetland. Prior converted wetland areas need to exhibit some moderate to serious need for habitat improvement. Payment will be given in exchange for: 1) allowing restoration of the wetlands, and 2) long-term protection of those wetlands. All restoration costs are to be paid by the Exchange, and long-term management costs are to be covered by the grant managed by the Farm Bureau. A minimum 50 foot average buffer may also be required to protect the integrity of the restored/created wetland. Determining the value of wetland credits takes place between buyer and seller. The price will be determined by supply and demand in an open market system. A seller may set a price, but if too high, buyers have the opportunity to look elsewhere. A percentage of the selling price will go towards both DWP and the SD Farm Bureau for restoration and administration. A deed restriction will stay in effect on the restored/created wetland as long as the mitigated wetland remains mitigated. For more information, contact the South Dakota Wetland Exchange by email or 605.359.5108. niGrow AUCTIONS Job Hunting? fcsamerica.com THERE’S A REASON REAL ESTATE BUYERS LAND WITH US. When you ?nance farmland with us, you aren’t just another customer – you are a customer-owner. So along with our attractive rates and exceptional terms, you get a voice in how we work and a share of what we earn in the form of cash-back dividends. Call us to learn more. YANKTON OFFICE: The Help Wanted section can help. There’s something for everyone in the Shopper! Place your ad now: 605-665-5884 84.28 ACRES OF CENTERVILLE TOWNSHIP TURNER COUNTY LAND AT AUCTION Our family has decided to sell the following land located from Centerville, SD go 4-miles west on 19A, 1 ½ south on 458th Ave east side of the road or from Viborg, SD 5-south on Hwy. 19, 2-miles east on 296th St. north side of the road or at the junction of 458th Ave. and 296th St. on: 605-665-9675 OR 800-658-3631 THURSDAY APRIL 21ST 10:30 A.M. It is our privilege to offer this tract of land located in the tightly held Centerville Township. In 2012 this property was improved by adding new drain tile making every acre productive. Farmers or investors check out this tract of land that is available to farm or lease out for the 2016 crop year. LEGAL: The W ½ of the SW ¼ and the West 2-acres of E ½ of the SW ¼ of Section 30, 96-52 Turner County, SD. • 75.62 acres tillable, 8.66 acres in trees and former building site. Buyer will settle on 84.28 acres and will not pay for any road right of way acres. • Soil Production Rating of 64.8. Predominant soils include Egan-Ethan complex (77) Worthing silty loam (30) and Egan-Trent loams (92). Note drain tile has greatly improved production capability which is not reflected in this rating. • New buyer able to farm or lease out for the 2016 crop year. Buyer to receive immediate possession auction day. • Base & Yield, wetland maps and other information found in the buyer’s packet. Planted to corn in 2015. • Annual Taxes are $1,388.92. Property is enrolled in ARCH-County with FSA office. YOUR VOICE WILL BE HEARD MV Shopper M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y In Print and Online! • 665-5884 M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y TO INSPECT THE PROPERTY: We invite you to inspect this property at your convenience or you may visit www.wiemanauction.com for a buyers packet or contact the auctioneers at 800-251-3111 and a buyers packet can be mailed out. TERMS: Cash sale with 15% (non-refundable) down payment auction day with the balance on or before May 23rd 2016. Trustees deed to be granted with the cost of title insurance split 50-50 between buyer and seller. Seller to pay 2015 taxes in full buyer will be responsible for all 2016 taxes. Sold subject to owners approval and all easements and restrictions or record. Auction to be held on the land site and come prepared to buy!! LYLE KNUTSON FAMILY TRUST – OWNER Wieman Land & Auction Co. Inc. Marion, SD 800-251-3111 Gary & Rich Wieman Brokers Rachel Rasmussen Closing Attorney 605-763-502 77.44 Acres of Pasture/ Prime Hunting Land Near the Vermillion River just north of Centerville, S.D. At Auction Friday, April 15th @ 10 a.m. We will be offering the following 77.44 acre tract of Turner Co. pasture/prime hunting land for sale at public auction on the premises located: From the northeast corner of Centerville take the Riverview Road north ½ mile north of 293rd St. The property is located on the west (back side) of the Riverview Cemetery. To access the property, drive directly west of 293rd St. over the newly installed access drive. The property is just under ¼ mile west and runs north. Real Estate: Consists of 77.44 acres of unimproved, rolling & river bottom land located just east of the Vermillion River. This property has been used as pasture in recent years. There is a combination of Canary grass & Brome for hay cropping. This parcel would also serve very nicely for 1-2 “very private” Bluff home sites if one saw fit. Walk outs would be an option & the western view is gorgeous. Or, make it your very own private hunting/ATV preserve for your own “hideaway” Bluff home. There is a newer drive accessing the southern side of the property with a new approach just off of 293rd St.. Both north & south drives have permanent easements in place & there is a well & a livestock catch pen located in the center of the property. Taxes: 1,646.94 Taxes will be pro-rated to closing & paid by Seller. Legal Description: Hansen Tracts 2 & 3, an Addition in the SW1/4 of Section 14 & the SE ¼ of Section 15, 9652 Turner Co., S.D. 77.44 acres more or less. Current Survey available at the auction. Terms: Cash. We will take a $25,000 non-refundable deposit after the auction from the successful Purchaser made payable to Turner Co. Title Company, with the balance to be due on closing. Title insurance and closing fee will be split 50-50 Buyer/Seller. Closing date to be on or before 5-18-16 with possession on closing. All announcements made at the auction will take precedence over all promotional materials. The auctioneer’s conducting this auction are agents of the Seller. Auctioneer’s Notes: This particular area is very well known for fabulous deer, pheasant & turkey hunting being located just next to the renowned “Bayou” adjacent to the Vermillion River making the possibilities endless for that home of your dreams on a recreational property! If you have been looking for some additional grazing land, then this is the opportunity you have been looking for. For pictures please go to www.goemanauction.com For additional information contact Jeff Goeman or Zac Van Beek @ 605-647-2898; or Jon Sweeter @ 605-360-6978.