Well, I just last night signed the paperwork with the NRCS office to have another pond built. This would be the second in 2 years and instead of the interest free loan, this time it's a 50/50 cost share up to $10,000. The most it'll cost me is $5K, but Chris w/NRCS laid out the dam 2 years ago, and she believes it was more along the lines of about $7k, so my portion would be $3500. Not sure what fuel prices have done to the cost of the project, but it's worth it to me anyway.

Only drawback to this is if I back out now...gulp...it'll cost me up to 20% in penalties, so I guess if the money actually shows up, I have to go ahead with the project. Next year, I'll have to do 2 acres more of trees and 2 acres of native grasses, as that's also part of the package. Again, it's at 50% cost share, and if I plant the trees myself, I can backcharge something for my labor, so that's a wash.

I guess once you actually get a project done (my first pond) it gives you a lot of priority points as it shows you are willing to follow through with a project. Right now, I'm at the top of the heap, and she wanted to know if I'd forego my THIRD pond (which she initially laid out as well) because that was part of the initial application. Let's others get some money as well. I was more than happy to settle for just ONE additional project...

I guess working with the gov't isn't all bad, all the time. I'll know for sure sometime in April if the project goes, and I'll keep you posted. You guys that are wanting to do something like this, keep harping on the NRCS office. If they tell you there's no money, keep calling every 3-6 months and let them know you are VERY interested in your project. That way, that won't forget you and if (like in my first pond) there ends up being unexpected funds, they'll maybe work with you just to get you off their backs. Worked for me, and now it's really gonna pay off...

Matt,
Congratulations!

The three P's when working with the Government:
"Persistence, Perseverance and Patience".

The five P's when building a pond:
"Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance".

Ed

Thanks Ed. Not exactly sure what to do with this pond, other than build and stock it! Used up many good ideas on the other one (the island, beach, bridge, etc.) but we'll come up with something. This one, I'll look out my front door or window and see the shining shore about 75 yards away. (The other was only 100 yds, not bad.) I can even sit on the porch, my favorite part of the house and just stare away! I'm excited, but a little leary of the total price tag, with fuel prices as high as they are. Just have to wait for the NRCS to give me the specs and get some diggers to bid. Then we'll know...

Well, the dirt guy starts bringing in equipment tomorrow. He wants to start next week and, barring rain, says he should be done in 10 days tops.

I was a bit leary of even starting this project, as I kind of got backed into a corner by NRCS ("gotta sign today if you want to do it...") and learned about the penalty for backing out only afterward. Oh well, turns out there's slightly more drainage through this draw than the first one.

Prices have risen a bit due to fuel, mostly, but seems I'll have a second pond at about 1.5-2 acres for about $9K. NRCS is footing half of the bill...so my part is about $4500 or so. Wife doesn't see as much value in this second pond as in the first, but since it makes me happy, she says go for it.

I'll post some pics of the site tomorrow, pre-dig, and try to follow on with others as the project progresses. Been wishing for rain so long...now I just want it to hold of for a week or so. Take whatever comes, I guess.

I'm sure there are competent NRCS people
somewhere, but not in my county. I've
heard all kinds of horror stories about
dealings with them here, not to mention
my own experience in CRP and EQIP
programs. Also, you better have enough
up front money to pay your contractors
in full because cost share dollars can be
very slow in coming.

squeeky:

Yes I know all about NRCS. Some of the folks are great...some are just so-so. Haven't met one yet, though, that doesn't TRY to help you. Some are just WAYYYYY better at it than others.

My dirt guy has worked directly with the gal I'm working with, and she's the one that layed out my first pond...and it was her first one, too. (Scary, but it came out all right.) Seems she figured up one of his terrace projects last year, and he was about one third of the way through when he'd burned through the estimated time/money. Seems she was figuring the yards based on "narrow-base" terraces and had actually spec'd "wide-base". OUCH! This difference is, you guessed it, about 66%. They had to scramble to come up with more $$$, but it worked out. Her boss keeps a pretty close eye on her calc's now.

Called him last night to remind him to do the "one call" thing. Got my a** chewed out last time because neither the contractor nor I had called...although I had spoken to a Nat Gas guy and he told me there's nothing out there. When the locator guy showed up he says "what the heck would be out there?" I said that was my question, but we hadda do it. Can't wait to see the dirt fly.

Snapfish is down, so I'll post a couple of pic's of the site as-is when it's back up...

Here's a pic of the view from my front porch.

[img]http://images.snapfish.com/3443%3A66%3B23232%7Ffp3%3Enu%3D323%3B%3E756%3E465%3EWSNRCG%3D3232%3A47%3A9%3B%3C76nu0mrj[/img]

Can't really tell much, but the photo takes in almost the entire dam...maybe 150 yds across. Water will back up almost to those small trees just past the driveway, and it'll be U-shaped around that point.

Have to get some shots from the upstairs bedroom. Better angle of attack.

Looks like a nice project Matt. No better views off the front porch than seeing a pond. Keep the camera handy when the dirt starts to fly.

Russ