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.