New Cost Share Rates to Support Best Management Practices on Agricultural Lands

Delaware River WRAPS (Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy) is currently accepting applications for cost share funds available for best management practices to be installed on agricultural lands after October 1, 2015. New cost share rates include higher payments to incentivize cover crop and grassed waterway projects, and a $5000 maximum for tile outlet terrace projects. The WRAPS program helps landowners meet their conservation goals while reducing sediment, nutrient and bacteria pollution of streams and lakes in the watershed. WRAPS works closely with FSA, NRCS and local Conservation Districts to leverage available conservation program funding and to promote similar conservation goals.

Eligible best management practices and cost share rates for projects to be installed after October 1, 2015:

90% Cost Share Available for Building or Re-Building Grassed Waterways that reduce sediment and nutrient pollution by allowing natural filtration of runoff water from crop fields

75% Cost Share Available for Cover Crops that reduce sediment and nutrient pollution by improving soil structure and water holding capacity, and establish living roots that hold soil in place between crops

50% Cost Share Available for All Other Cropland Practices that reduce sediment and nutrient pollution from crop fields. Examples: riparian buffers, no-till, water retention or sediment basins, establishing permanent vegetation, subsurface fertilizer application, and terraces (tile outlet terrace cost share is capped at $5000.00)

50% Cost Share Available for Livestock Practices that reduce nutrient and bacteria pollution from livestock operations. Examples: vegetative buffers, relocation of feeding pens or sites, off-stream watering systems, fencing and rotational grazing

50% Cost Share Available for Gully Erosion Control Practices that reduce sediment pollution from eroding gullies in or near the riparian zone of watershed streams. Examples: sediment basins or other grade stabilization structures

50% Cost Share Available for Streambank stabilization practices that reduce sediment loads from the erosion of the banks within streams.

Program Application Details:

• Applications are reviewed every 6-8 weeks (next meeting is July 22, 2015) and will be accepted until all of the funding has been allocated
• Applications are prioritized according to amount of pollutant load reduction to be achieved by the practice, and whether or not the practice is located within a targeted area of the watershed
• Funding decisions are made by a Stakeholder Leadership Team, comprised of area landowners, producers, and natural resource professionals

Interested landowners should act quickly to take advantage of this program.  Contact Melissa Arthur, Delaware River WRAPS Coordinator at 785-284-3422 or delawarewatershed@gmail.com to get more information, find out if land is in a watershed targeted area, or to get an application.  This information is also available at conservation district offices in Atchison, Brown, Jackson, Jefferson and Nemaha counties.