There are many cropland practices providing numerous benefits that can be implemented using state financial assistance. Land treatment practices on cropland reduce soil erosion, improve soil tilth, protect water quality and retain runoff for moisture conservation. The following are examples of common practices.

Terrace

A terrace is an earth embankment or a combination ridge and channel constructed across the slope on cropland only, except when used in conjunction with a confined animal feeding operation. Its purpose is to reduce slope length, reduce erosion, reduce sediment content in runoff water, improve water quality, intercept and conduct surface runoff at a non-erosive velocity to a stable outlet, and to retain runoff for moisture conservation or prevent gully development.

Grassed Waterway

A grassed waterway is a constructed waterway or outlet shaped or graded and established in vegetation (grass or crop), as needed, for the safe disposal of runoff from a field, diversion, terrace or other structure. It provides for the disposal of excess surface water from terraces, diversions or from natural concentrations without damage by erosion or flooding.


Grade Stabilization Structure

This practice is designed to control the grade and head cutting in natural or artificial channels. It stabilizes the grade and controls erosion in natural or artificial channels, to prevent formation or advance of gullies, and to enhance environmental quality and reduce pollution hazards

The Home/Farmstead can be a source of pollutants that can contaminate the environment. Homeowners should be aware of their responsibility to protect the environment from contamination by home/farmstead pollution sources that can impair surface and ground water quality. Two of the home/farmstead practices are highlighted below.



Abandoned Water Well Plugging



The plugging of an abandoned water well involves the sealing and permanent closure of a water well no longer in use. Kansas law requires that all abandoned wells and test holes be properly plugged.

Proper plugging accomplishes five goals:

1. Restores protective barrier to minimize groundwater contamination
2. Removes physical hazards by removing tempting openings for curious children and animals
3. Restores stability to the land surface (load carrying capacity)
4. Eliminates or reduces liability exposure
5. Protects and improves property values

 

On-Site Wastewater System

An onsite wastewater system is a system composed of a septic tank/treatment field, a wastewater lagoon, or an alternative treatment system to treat wastewater from a single family residence, church, school, business, or government office on the site at which it is generated. The purpose of a domestic wastewater system installation is to remain in conformance with county sanitary environmental codes and state regulations  to prevent groundwater and surface contamination by disease-causing organisms, organic matter, and chemicals.



The purpose of an on-site wastewater system is to dispose of domestic wastewater in a manner that provides adequate treatment and to prevent the entry of untreated sewage into surface or ground waters.

Homeowners are required to obtain a permit from the county health department before upgrading a failing on-site septic system. The county sanitarian will determine the type and size of system required for the site by evaluating the soils. The two normal types of systems are an Infiltration Chamber System, pictured above, and a Wastewater Pond, pictured on the right.

The State of Kansas works continuously with local, state and federal stakeholders to provide incentives to reduce the depletion of groundwater in areas of significant decline. There are two water conservation practices that are offered from the State of Kansas to reduce depletion of groundwater sources in targeted areas:  Irrigation Water Management and Irrigation Water Management. In addition, the State provides financial assistance to landowners to permanently retire their water rights in selected areas as determined by the State.

Water Conveyance Pipeline

A conveyance pipeline consists of a pipeline and components installed in an irrigation system to accommodate the installation of a sprinkler irrigation system. The function of this practice is to convert flood irrigation systems to sprinkler irrigation systems. The conservation objective of this pipeline practice is to utilize low drift nozzles or low pressure, below canopy application systems which will yield a reduction in water usage while maintaining tolerable soil erosion levels.

Irrigation Water Management

This practice involves the determination and control of the rate, amount, and timing of irrigation water application in a planned and efficient manner. It requires evapotranspiration data entered into a computer spreadsheet program used to monitor water balance and schedule irrigation events.

The purpose of this practice is to provide irrigation water management awareness and education to irrigators to encourage adoption of irrigation scheduling technologies. Additional goals are to effectively use available irrigation water supply in managing and controlling the moisture environment of crops and to promote less consumptive use. This is accomplished by avoiding unnecessary over-pumping and controlling undesirable water loss. This practice also aims to minimize soil erosion and loss of plant nutrients and to protect water quality.

A livestock waste management system is a planned system to manage liquid and solid wastes from a confined animal feeding operation. It includes runoff from non-concentrated waste areas, with ultimate disposal in a manner that prevents or minimizes degradation of air, soil and water resources and protects public health and safety. Such systems are planned to preclude discharge of pollutants to surface or ground water and, to the fullest practicable extent, utilize waste products through soil and plants. Through proper collection, storage, transportation and utilization of wastes, pollution may be greatly reduced or eliminated.

Landowners of confined animal feeding operations that are requesting cost-share assistance are required to contact the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) to determine if the facility has a significant pollution potential and are required to obtain a permit and install the appropriate pollution control practice(s).

For more information on permitting requirements for confined animal feeding operations, go to the following KDHE website: http://www.kdheks.gov/feedlots.

A few of the common livestock waste system practices are highlighted below:

Waste Storage Facility

A waste storage facility is a waste impoundment made by constructing an embankment and/or excavating a pit or dugout or fabricating a structure. Its purpose is to temporarily store wastes such as manure, wastewater, and contaminated runoff as a storage function component of an agricultural waste management system.

Sediment Basin

A sediment basin is a basin constructed to collect and store debris or sediment. This practice is used to abate pollution by providing basins for deposition and storage of sediment and agricultural wastes as part of a livestock waste management system.

Wastewater Treatment Strip

This practice is implemented as a treatment component of an agricultural waste management system consisting of a strip or area of herbaceous vegetation. The purpose is to improve water quality by reducing loading of nutrients, organics, pathogens and other contaminants associated with animal manure and other wastes and wastewater by treating runoff from livestock holding areas with infiltration or treating wastewater with overland flow.

Implementing pasture and hayland projects can have a significant effect on reducing soil erosion and improving water quality. Financial assistance is available for establishment and re-establishment of pasture and hayland, as well as a variety of water supply projects. The following are examples of common practices:

Pasture and Hayland Planting

This practice is implemented to establish and re-establish long-term stands of adapted species of perennial or re-seeding forage plants (includes pasture and hayland renovation). These plantings also reduce erosion on existing pasture and hayland or on land that is converted from other uses.

Pond

A pond is a water impoundment made by constructing a dam, embankment, or by excavating a pit or dugout. The primary purpose of all water supply practices is to provide water for livestock to facilitate proper use of vegetation on rangeland or pasture.  This primary purpose also includes to reduce livestock impacts on streams or riparian areas with the stated or implied intent of improving water quality. All alternative grazing management practices must be exhausted before an additional water supply is implemented.

Watering Facility

A watering facility is a trough, tank or waterer with necessary devices installed to provide drinking water for livestock. The primary purpose of all water supply practices is to provide water for livestock to facilitate proper use of vegetation on rangeland or pasture.  This primary purpose also includes to reduce livestock impacts on streams or riparian areas with the stated or implied intent of improving water quality. All alternative grazing management practices must be exhausted before an additional water supply is implemented.

Projects that are implemented in stream and riparian corridors can play a significant role in improving and protecting stream health and downstream water quality and clarity.
 
 
 

Fencing

A fencing practice is used to enclose or divide an area of land with a suitable permanent structure that acts as a barrier to livestock (does not include temporary fences). It also excludes livestock from areas that should be protected from grazing, protect new seedlings, and plantings from grazing, subdivide grazing land to permit use of grazing systems, and utilize grazing management strategies to enhance grass conditions, or to prevent concentration of animals in the riparian zone.

Streambank Stabilization

Streambank stabilization is a treatment used to stabilize and protect streambanks. The practice stabilizes the eroding streambanks, reduces damage from sediment and runoff to downstream areas, and improves wildlife habitat. It is used on highly erodible or critically eroding streambanks. These areas usually cannot be stabilized by ordinary conservation treatment and management, and if left untreated, can cause severe erosion or sediment damage.

Filter Strip

A filter strip is a strip or area of vegetation for removing sediment, organic matter, and other pollutants from runoff and waste water. This practice is implemented to remove sediment and other pollutants from runoff or waste water by filtration, deposition, infiltration, absorption, decomposition, and volatilization, thereby reducing pollution and protecting the environment.

Applications will be accepted from August 1-31, 2018. Eligible livestock wells, pipeline and tanks must have been installed or have started the installation process between the dates of June 1, 2018, and July 24, 2018.

Eligible livestock wells, pipeline and tanks must serve pastures 40 acres or larger with a permanent perimeter fence. Eligible areas will be the same as the NRCS EQIP 2018 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Drought Initiative. These eligible areas are located in the following Kansas counties: Anderson, Atchison, Barber, Barton, Bourbon, Brown, Butler, Chase, Cherokee, Clark, Clay, Coffey, Comanche, Cowley, Crawford, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Edwards, Ellsworth, Finney, Ford, Franklin, Geary, Grant, Gray, Greenwood, Hamilton, Harper, Harvey, Haskell, Hodgeman, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Kearney, Kingman, Kiowa, Labette, Leavenworth, Lincoln, Linn, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, McPherson, Meade, Miami, Montgomery, Morris, Morton, Nemaha, Neosho, Osage, Ottawa, Pawnee, Pottawatomie, Pratt, Reno, Rice, Riley, Saline, Sedgwick, Seward, Shawnee, Stafford, Stanton, Stevens, Sumner, and Wabaunsee, Washington, Wyandotte.

Landowners must provide a copy of the completed WWC-5 Water Well Record form for all wells drilled. Landowners must provide copies of all bills pertaining to drilling the livestock wells, installing livestock water supply pipeline and installing tanks. Landowners must certify that these practices are being used for livestock water supply and no other purpose.

• The Division of Conservation (DOC) will approve applications until all specified funds are allocated at the end of the signup period.
• Applications will be ranked based on criteria developed and approved by the State Conservation Commission.
• Districts will need to accept applications for the full 30-day signup period and forward all applications to the DOC at the end of the signup period. This will allow the DOC to have an accurate inventory of applications.
• The DOC will approve applications as soon as possible after the signup ending date.
• The DOC does not guarantee adequate funds will be available to fund all eligible applications.

• Practice Code 642 (Water Well) will have a statewide county average cost of $25.00 per linear foot of depth with a cost-share percentage of 50% under this initiative.
• Practice Code 516 (Pipeline) will have a statewide county average cost of $3.00 per linear foot with a cost-share percentage of 50% under this initiative.
• Practice Code 614 (Watering Facility) will have a statewide county average cost of $1.50 per gallon with a cost-share percentage of 50% under this initiative.
• Landowners with approved applications will sign a 10-year maintenance agreement for the practices as installed.
• The total landowner limit for financial assistance will be $6,000 under this initiative.