RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia is launching an initiative to help farmers keep livestock out of waterways and manage grazing on pastureland.
Gov. Bob McDonnell announced the Virginia Enhanced Conservation Initiative on Wednesday.
Secretary of Natural Resources Doug Domenech says the state's agricultural cost-sharing program will now reimburse farmers up to 100 percent of the cost of installing stream exclusion systems. Previously, the reimbursement was capped at 75 percent.
Stream exclusion systems include fences, vegetative buffers and other features that prevent livestock from entering nearby waterways.
McDonnell says keeping livestock out of rivers and streams will reduce water pollution and contamination.
The program also will reimburse farmers up to 100 percent of the cost of installing systems that manage grazing.
