This page was updated February 27, 2020
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 with extra ranking preference being given to projects that are within the Trees for Clean Water Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) targeted areas.
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. RQEI will also provide incentive payments for those enrolling in the RCPP up to 90% of the estimated cost. All projects must be located within a riparian area as identified by a Kansas Forest Service Forester.


* Cover Crop practice will be to provide cover for new tree plantings.
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As part of the ongoing effort to decrease harmful algal blooms (HABs) in Milford Reservoir, the Riparian and Wetlands Program is offering an incentive payment to producers who install CRP practices that help reduce sedimentation and nutrient runoff. Currently, the initiative is only open to targeted areas in the Lower Republican Watershed. This area includes the counties of Clay, Cloud, Dickinson, Geary, Republic, Riley, and Washington. Producers who have property within a Tier 1 area are eligible for a one-time payment of $225/acre, 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.

Eligible CRP Practices:
- CP-8A, Grassed Waterway
- CP-9, Shallow Water Areas for Wildlife
- CP-21, Filter Strips
- CP-22, Riparian Forest Buffer
- CP-23, Wetland Restoration
- CP-27, Improvements to Farmable Wetlands
- CP-28, Farmable Wetland Buffers
- CP-31, Bottomland Hardwood Timber Establishment
- CP-33, Upland Bird Habitat Buffers

Information For Bidders
Delaware River
Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting Tuesday, April 27, 10:00 a.m.
Glacial Hill RC&D Office, 334 2nd St., Wetmore, Kansas
Attendance required to place bid on sites within this package.
Site D 13 Construction Spec Package Design Plans
Site D 15 Construction Spec Package Design Plans
Site D 24 Construction Spec Package Design Plans
Little Blue River
Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting Wednesday, April 28, 2021, 10:00 a.m.
Marysville City Hall, 209 N. 8th St., Marysville, Kansas
Attendance required to place bid on sites within this package.
Site LBR 17 Construction Spec Package Design Plans
Site LBR 18 Construction Spec Package Design Plans
Site LBR 28-29 Construction Spec Package Design Plans
Site LBR 30 Construction Spec Package Design Plans
Site LBR 76-77 Construction Spec Package Design Plans
Cottonwood River
Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting Thursday, May 6, 2021, 10:00 a.m.
William Lindsay White Civic Auditorium, 2nd Floor Little Theater, 111 E. 6th Ave. St., Emporia, Kansas
Attendance required to place bid on sites within this package.
Site C 104 Construction Spec Package Design Plans
Site C 105 Construction Spec Package Design Plans
Site C 112 Construction Spec Package Design Plans
Site C 130
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.
