Federal, state and county programs are available to agricultural and urban landowners. These programs provide technical and financial assistance to implement conservation practices.
STATE & COUNTY COST SHARE PROGRAM offers a reimbursement of 50% for conservation practices installed on eligible agricultural land. Qualifying practices include grassed waterways, terraces, water and sediment control basins, etc. Technical assistance is available to help determine what practices may be needed and to assist with the design. Now is the time to apply for cost share assistance for Spring and Fall projects. Applicants are funded on a first come, first serve basis so don’t hesitate, Apply today.
URBAN INITIATIVE COST SHARE PROGRAM offers a reimbursement of 50% up to $2,000 for landscape practices that protect and enhance water quality and address drainage problems. 75% of runoff must be managed on site to qualify. Practices that qualify for cost share include rain gardens, bio retention cells and swales, permeable paving, soil quality restoration (deep tined aeration and the application of compost to lawn), etc. Funds are limited and are approved on a first come, first served basis. Rural and urban Scott County residents are eligible to apply.
DUCK CREEK WATERSHED PROJECT is funded by a grant from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the US Environmental Protection Agency under the Federal Nonpoint Source Management Program (Section 319 of the Clean Water Act) that the Scott County Soil and Water Conservation District is implementing.
In 2010, a Duck Creek Watershed Management Plan was created using protocol from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Environmental Protection Agency, to address the E. coli bacteria impairment on Duck Creek. The plan entails information about the watershed including; watershed anatomy, land use, resource and physical characteristics, community involvement, pollutants and analysis, sources defined and recommendations, targets and load reductions, goals and objectives, a prioritized implementation plan, monitoring plan and technical and financial resources. In 2011, the plan was approved by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Click Here to Download the Duck Creek Watershed Management Plan
(Download Instructions: Save the Duck Creek Watershed Management Plan, then open from location where it was saved.)
Also, in 2011, the plan was used to obtain a $177,640 in funding through the DNR Watershed Implementation Grant. Over the next three years, the grant will fund tasks related to removing Duck Creek’s E. coli bacteria impairment including coordinator salary, a cost share on urban infiltration practices in critical subwatersheds, a pet waste campaign (including pet waste stations along the Duck Creek Parkway and the creation and distribution of informational brochures and personal pet waste disposal systems) and an awareness and education campaign (including a website, booth exhibit, billboards and a public service announcement). Increased water quality monitoring will also be implemented on Duck Creek and its tributaries.
For more information, log on to www.cleanduckcreekiowa.org
PARTNERS OF SCOTT COUNTY WATERSHEDS is a 501(c) 3 not for profit organization dedicated to developing and implementing ways all citizens can be better stewards of our watersheds. Clare Kerofsky, the coordinator for this group, is a Scott County Soil and Water Conservation District employee.
For more information, log on to www.partnersofscottcountywatersheds.org
CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM (CSP) is a voluntary program that encourages agricultural and forestry producers to address resource concerns by improving and maintaining existing conservation systems and undertaking additional conservation activities to enhance their operation. CSP is available to all producers, regardless of the operation size or crops produced. To be eligible, applicants must be listed as the operator of record in the USDA farm management system. Eligible lands include cropland, grassland, pastureland and nonindustrial private forest land. CSP pays participants for conservation performance – the higher the performance, the higher the payment. This program provides participants with an annual payment for maintaining their current stewardship level while enhancing their operation to improve certain resource concerns.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality. This program is available to farmers, and offers financial and technical assistance to install or implement structural, vegetative and management practices on eligible agricultural land. EQIP applications are accepted year-round with periodic cut-off dates announced for ranking and funding submitted applications.
WILDLIFE HABITAT INCENTIVES PROGRAM (WHIP) is a voluntary program that provides financial assistance to private landowners to establish wildlife habitat. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) works with participants to develop a wildlife habitat management plan. This plan becomes the basis for entering into a 5 to 10 year agreement with landowners to implement the plan. Projects that focus on establishing habitat for threatened and endangered species or declining species receive a higher priority. Applications are accepted through a continuous signup process at the local NRCS office.
WETLANDS RESERVE PROGRAM (WRP) is a voluntary program that provides assistance to develop and implement a conservation plan for restoration of wetlands previously altered for agricultural use. The conservation plan includes practices to restore wetlands and establish wildlife habitat. Land that has been owned for seven years and that could be restored to wetland conditions may be eligible for enrollment into the program. Landowners may restore wetlands with permanent easements, 30-year easements or 10-year contracts. Permanent easements pay 100% of the easement value of the land and 100% cost-share for restoration; 30-year easements pay 75% of the agricultural value and 75% cost-share for restoration; 10-year contracts pay 75% cost-share of restoration only. Permanent or 30-year easements are recorded with property easement deeds.
GRASSLAND RESERVE PROGRAM (GRP) is a voluntary conservation program that emphasizes support for working grazing operations, enhancement of plant and animal biodiversity, and protection of eligible grassland under threat of conversion to other land uses. Participants voluntarily limit future development and cropping uses of the land while retaining the right to conduct common grazing practices and operations related to the production of forage and seed.
