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.

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.  

* Cover Crop practice will be to provide cover for new tree plantings. Eligible Counties

As part of the ongoing effort to reduce sedimentation and nutrient runoff, the Riparian and Wetlands Program is offering an incentive payment to producers who install the approved Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) practices listed below.  Producers who have property within a Tier 1 area are eligible for a one-time payment of $225/acres 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.

The following counties have areas that may qualify for the incentive payments:

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

Information For Bidders

Delaware River Streambank Projects

Due to incomplete bidder notification a second pre-bid meeting is being offered.  Bidders who attended the first pre-bid meeting are NOT required to attend the second meeting.

Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting Friday, November 3, 2023 at 1:30 p.m.
Glacial Hills RC&D Office
334 2nd St., Wetmore, KS  66550
Attendance is required at the pre-bid meeting to place bid on these sites.

Delaware 31
Delaware 31 Plans                              
Delaware 31 ECS-4
Delaware 31 ECS-5
Delaware 31 Construction Specifications
General Requirements
Special Conditions
Summary
Mobilization and Demobilization
Clearing and Grubbing
Excavating, Filling, and Grading
Channel Bank Vegetation
Mulching
Rock Stabilization Structures
Rootwad Stabilization Structures

Delaware 33
Delaware 33 Plans
Delaware 33 ECS-4
Delaware 33 ECS-5
Delaware 33 Construction Specifications
General Requirements
Special Conditions
Summary
Mobilization and Demobilization
Clearing and Grubbing
Excavating, Filling, and Grading
Channel Bank Vegetation
Mulching
Rock Stabilization Structures
Rootwad Stabilization Structures

Delaware 38
Delaware 38 Plans
Delaware 38 ECS-4
Delaware ECS-5
Delaware 38 Construction Specifications
General Requirements
Special Conditions
Summary
Mobilization and Demobilization
Clearing and Grubbing
Excavating, Filling, and Grading
Channel Bank Vegetation
Mulching
Rock Stabilization Structures
Rootwad Stabilization Structures

Delaware 49-5
Delaware 49-5 Plans
Delaware 49-5 ECS-4
Delaware 49-5 ECS-5
Delaware 49-5 Construction Specifications
General Requirements
Special Conditions
Summary
Mobilization and Demobilization
Clearing and Grubbing
Excavating, Filling, and Grading
Protection of Soil and Vegetation
Channel Bank Vegetation
Mulching
Rock Stabilization Structures


Tree and Shrub Planting Guide

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.