Cost Share

 The United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service  (NRCS), provides leadership to our District and administers programs to help people reduce soil erosion, protect the Nation's ability to produce food and fiber, reduce sedimentation in streams and lakes, improve water quality, establish wildlife habitat, and enhance forest and wetland resources.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
  Targets livestock related natural resource problems.

Wetland Reserve Program (WRP)
  Promotes restoring, creating or enhancing wetlands through conservation
  easements that improve migratory bird and wildlife habitat, improve water
  quality, and aid in flood control and ground water recharge.

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
  Encourages farmers to convert highly erodible cropland or other
  environmentally sensitive acreage to vegetative cover, such as native or   
  domesticated grasses, wildlife plantings, trees, filter strips, or riparian 
  buffers.  Farmers receive an annual rental payment for the term of the  
  multi-year contract.  

Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP)
 Aimed at providing habitat for fish and wildlife on private lands.

Farmland Protection Program (FPP)
  Provides funds to help purchase development rights in order to keep  
  productive farmland in use. Works through existing local governments to    
  acquire conservation easements.

Forestry Incentive Program (FIP)
- helps landowners with applying sustainable forestry practices including tree
  plantings, timber stand improvement, site preparation for natural   
  regeneration, and other related activities.