The Riparian and Wetlands Program (RW) is tasked with promoting conservation for wetlands and streams throughout the State of Kansas. Working with the Kansas Water Office, Kansas Department of Health and Environments, and Kansas Forest Service, this program helps to administer the Streambank Protection Program for the State of Kansas. In addition to this, the Riparian and Wetlands Program provides financial assistance to landowners to implement riparian and wetland conservation projects on private lands to improve water quality, increase quality wildlife habitat, and promote conservation of these valuable natural resources and the benefits they provide.

The Riparian Quality Enhancement Initiative (RQEI) is an initiative that seeks to help landowners improve riparian health, land profitability, and wildlife habitat.  In partnership with the Kansas Forest Service, the Division of Conservation is offering financial and technical service for forestry practices for Kansas Landowners. The RQEI will be open to KACD/SCC Areas III, IV and V.

How it works:

Landowners who are interested should complete an application in consultation with their district forester and conservation district manager. Applications are accepted on a continual basis and will be ranked at the end of every month. Landowners will have until May of the following year after enrolling in RQEI to complete the cost-share practices. Landowners are eligible for 80% cost-share up to an annual landowner limit of $10,000.  Projects will be certified as complete by the district forester prior to payment.  

* Cover Crop practice will be to provide cover for new tree plantings. Eligible Counties

As part of the ongoing effort to reduce sedimentation and nutrient runoff, the Riparian and Wetlands Program is offering an incentive payment to producers who install the approved Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) practices listed below.  Producers who have property within a Tier 1 area are eligible for a one-time payment of $225/acres and those producers with property in Tier 2 areas are eligible for a one-time payment of $162.50/acre.  Please contact your local Conservation District for more information.

The following counties have areas that may qualify for the incentive payments:

Eligible CRP Practices:

1. CP-8A, Grassed Waterway
2. CP-9, Shallow Water Areas for Wildlife
3. CP-21, Filter Strips
4. CP-22, Riparian Forest Buffer
5. CP-23, Wetland Restoration
6. CP-27, Improvements to Farmable Wetlands
7. CP-28, Farmable Wetland Buffers
8. CP-31, Bottomland Hardwood Timber Establishment
9. CP-33, Upland Bird Habitat Buffers

 

  
Collectively known as the “Inter-agency Streambank Team,” the Kansas Water Office, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Kansas Forest Service, and the Riparian and Wetlands Program work with private landowners to decrease sediment in our federal reservoirs caused by accelerated streambank erosion. The group seeks to target the largest contributing sites first, with some losing more than 20,000 tons of sediment per year. Targeting the Delaware, Tuttle and John Redmond Reservoirs, the streambank is stabilized with a riparian buffer installed to help insure longevity. There is no cost to landowners for the projects. Sites are monitored for several years following installation to help insure a successful project that protects both agricultural lands and the interest of downstream water users.

                

Here is a link to the Kansas Water Office website which gives access to a map of completed projects and current targeted sites: 

Completed Projects/Current Targeted Sites

Information For Bidders

Cottonwood River Streambank Projects
Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at 10:30 a.m.
William Lindsay White Civic Auditorium,
2nd Floor Little Theatre, 111 E. 6th Ave. St. Emporia, KS
Attendance is required at the pre-bid meeting to place bid on these sites.

Site C100     Construction Spec Package     Design Plans

Often overlooked, wetlands provide a unique resource for water quality, water availability, and wildlife habitat. Through the Riparian and Wetland Program, the Division of Conservation provides financial assistance to landowners who want to develop or rejuvenate existing wetlands.  Landowners are eligible for 80% cost-share to a limit of $10,000 for earthwork and vegetation in these projects.

Through this portion of the program, the Division of Conservation works with partners such as Ducks Unlimited and Playa Lakes Joint Venture to promote playa conservation in western Kansas. These shallow and seasonally dry wetlands provide habitat for many species and serve as a source of recharge for the Ogallala Aquifer.

Please contact your local conservation district or the Division of Conservation if you would like more information on financial assistance for wetlands.