SMETHPORT — The McKean County Conservation District will accept applications until Oct. 1 for the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) for funding to implement agricultural conservation practices.

The following are examples of the best management practices (BMPs) that may be implemented through the ACAP program:

• Agricultural stream accesses
• Heavy use areas with or without a roof
• Roofed manure stacking pad
• Exclusionary and streambank fencing
• Rotational grazing
• Spring development
• Streambank stabilization structures

These practices are designed to reduce or prevent nutrient and sediment losses from their farms while improving water quality and soil health across the commonwealth. This funding will be available for all farmers within McKean County.

The district will work with participating farmers and landowners to help design and implement soil and water conservation practices. The district will also work with landowners to be eligible for the program by assisting them, if necessary, to develop a conservation plan or agricultural erosion and sediment control plan and a manure or nutrient management plan.

Pre-application site visits are required for the district to assist the potential program participants to ensure the application they submit is in the best interest of the applicant and the program. Please contact Adam Causer, watershed specialist, at (814) 887-4003 or accauser@mckeancountypa.gov to schedule a visit.