Living snow fences increase winter highway safety

The Pipestone Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) board voted unanimously, Dec. 11, to provide 100 percent of the funding of the establishment of a living snow fence, not to exceed $20,000 annually for the program.

Establishment means costs associated with the plant materials as well as matting and seeding.

Living snow fences are rows of trees, shrubs and native grasses that are planted along roadways. The living barriers trap snow as it blows across fields, piling it up before it reaches a road.

Its less likely to be snow-packed and icy, with a snow fence, said SWCD supervisor Ian Cunningham, saving winter snowplowing and/or sand and salt costs.

The dollars they potentially save the county are huge, said SWCD supervisor Cal Spronk.

The SWCDs funding decision works cooperatively with the USDA Farm Service Agency CRP program that pays up to 50 percent of various costs associated with living snow fences. Whatever that program doesnt cover, the SWCD will pick up 100 percent. If the FSA program paid $1,000 toward a $5,000 snow fence, for example, the SWCD would pick up the remaining $4,000.

In addition to minimizing public safety hazards caused by wind-driven snow, living fences offer additional wildlife habitat and help prevent soil erosion.

We have some reserves, so that would be a good multiple benefit use of them, Cunningham said.

Kyle Krier, conservation and zoning administrator, said he was waiting for a list from the Pipestone County Highway Department and townships on problem areas that might benefit from a living snow fence. Pipestone County may also contribute some funding to the program, Krier said.

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Living snow fences increase winter highway safety