State Cost-Share Programs

Overview
Conservation practices benefit all Kansans by providing cleaner water, more productive crop and grazing lands, and improved wildlife habitat. The Kansas Department of Agriculture, Division of Conservation (DOC) administers three voluntary cost-share programs; the Water Resources Cost-Share Program, the Non-Point Source Pollution Control Program, and the Riparian and Wetland Protection Program. These programs provide financial assistance to eligible landowners for conservation practices that reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, and/or conserve water. 

Program funds are allocated to each conservation district on July 1, which is the beginning of the state fiscal year. 

 Local Program Administration
The state cost-share programs are administered locally in each county by the conservation district. The conservation district board of supervisors tailors state programs to meet critical conservation needs specific to the county. Annually, the supervisors establish local policies, which include identifying local priorities, selecting practices, determining landowner limits, and reviewing cost-share rates. 

All cost share practices are required to be built to DOC Approved Standards and Specifications in order to ensure functionality and expected life span of the practices. Most of these standards and specifications align with those set forth by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) which provides the majority of technical assistance.

Application for Cost-Share
Each county conservation district accepts requests for financial assistance during an established sign-up period. At the end of this sign-up period each application is reviewed by the board of supervisors and district staff to determine eligibility and ranking according to state and locally identified priorities. Landowners are notified by the conservation district if the project is approved for cost-share assistance. 

Contract
After conservation district approval the cost-share applicants must sign a DOC Contract for Financial Assistance which explains the conditions for receiving state cost-share funds. This document assures proper conformance to state practice implementation and maintenance requirements for a minimum of 10 years. Construction of cost-share practices cannot begin until a contract is approved by the conservation district and the DOC, and signed by the landowner(s). 

Payment
Upon completion of the project, the landowner notifies the conservation district and submits invoice(s)/receipt(s) associated with the project to the conservation office. An authorized representative of the conservation district will certify that each practice was completed according to specifications. The conservation district submits a request to DOC for payment to the landowner. 

The current NRCS cost list is used as basis for determining the amount of cost-share assistance earned. Cost-share is also based upon availability of funds, project limits, and landowner limits. A landowner receiving $600 or more in cost-share assistance will receive Form 1099-G from the State of Kansas. 

Practices
Practices available for funding from the Barber County Conservation District thru the Water Resources Cost Share Program (WRCSP) and the Non-Point Source Pollution Control Program (NPSPCP) include:



Please contact the Barber County Conservation District for program availability or to see how you can get more involved in conserving soil & water for future generations. 


Funding is provided in part by the Division of Conservation, Kansas Department of Agriculture through appropriations from the Kansas Water Plan Fund.

***All programs of the Barber County Conservation District
are available without regard to race, color, religion, 
sex, national origin, marital status, age or handicap.***




Federal Cost Share Programs

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)

For more information, please contact the NRCS office.
Information Provided in part by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Division of Conservation