Delaware River WRAPS (Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy) currently has cost share funds available for best management practices to be installed on agricultural lands prior to March 30, 2015. The WRAPS program helps landowners meet their conservation goals while reducing sediment, nutrient and bacteria pollution of streams and lakes in the watershed. WRAPS works closely with FSA, NRCS and local Conservation Districts to leverage available conservation program funding and to promote similar conservation goals.

Best management practices eligible for funding include the following: 

Livestock practices that reduce nutrient and bacteria pollution from livestock operations. Examples: vegetative buffers, relocation of feeding pens or sites, off-stream watering systems, fencing and rotational grazing

Cropland practices that reduce sediment and nutrient pollution from crop fields. Examples: riparian buffers, no-till, water retention or sediment basins, grassed waterways, establishing permanent vegetation, subsurface fertilizer application, terraces and planting cover crops

Gully erosion control practices that reduce sediment pollution from eroding gullies in or near the riparian zone of watershed streams. Examples: sediment basins or other grade stabilization structures

Streambank stabilization practices that reduce sediment loads from the erosion of the banks within streams.

Application Information:         

·       The cost share rate for 2014 is 50%

·       Applications are reviewed every 6-8 weeks, and will be accepted until all of the funding has been allocated

·       Applications are prioritized according to amount of pollutant load reduction to be achieved by the BMP and whether or not the practice is located within a targeted area of the watershed

·       Funding decisions are made by a Stakeholder Leadership Team, comprised of area landowners, producers, and natural resource professionals

Interested landowners should act quickly to take advantage of this program.  Contact Melissa Arthur, Delaware River WRAPS Coordinator at 785-284-3422 or delawarewatershed@gmail.com or visit the Delaware River WRAPS website at www.delawarewraps.com to get more information, find out if land is in a watershed targeted area or to get an application.  This information is also available at conservation district offices in Atchison, Brown, Jackson, Jefferson and Nemaha counties.