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.

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:

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

Marysville Pre-Bid Meeting 7-25-19

SRF 2.0 Pre-bid Presentation

BBR 28 Pre-bid Presentation

BBR 33 Pre-bid Presentation

BBR 49 Pre-bid Presentation 

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.