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A Guide to Conservation Programs for Iowa Landowners
Your quick reference to financial and technical assistance for conservation
on private lands.
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
- Purpose: Provide incentives to landowners to establish wetlands for water
quality improvement in the tile-drained regions of Iowa.
- Practices: Wetland restoration and adjacent buffer establishment.
- Eligibility: Enrollment is on a continuous basis. Eligible land must be in
one of thirty-seven counties in North-Central Iowa, and must meet the basic
eligibility requirements for USDA’s Conservation Reserve Program. Eligible lands
must be in landscape positions to intercept significant tile flow while not
obstructing normal drainage.
- Contract: Landowners will enter a 15-year contract with USDA as under the
Continuous CRP. State funds will be used for additional one-time, up-front
incentive payments to encourage participating landowners to enter into a
required additional 15-year agreement or permanent easement. USDA and State
funds will provide for 100% cost-share.
- Contact: SWCDs, DSC, FSA, NRCS
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
- Purpose: To reduce erosion, increase wildlife habitat, and improve water
quality through the application of conservation plans (landowner sets aside
cropland with annual rental payments).
- Practices: Tree planting, grass cover, small wetland restoration, prairie
restoration, and others.
- Eligibility: Varies by soil type and crop history. For general signups, land
is accepted into the program if the offer qualifies. Continuous signup is open
for buffers, waterways, and environmental practices at all times. The living
snow fence practice is now paying for 100-foot wide snow catch area with a match
for areas near state highways, non-floodplain wetlands restoration initiative,
and northern bobwhite quail habitat initiative.
- Contract: 10-15 years depending on the type of practice. Transferable with
change in ownership.
-
Contact: FSA, SWCDs
Conservation Security Program (CSP)
- Purpose: To reward farmers and landowners for past conservation work and
provide technical and financial assistance to help develop conservation plans
that address specific natural resource concerns and complete more conservation
work.
- Practices: Existing and new stewardship practices and enhancement activities.
- Eligibility: Most agricultural land in Iowa will be eligible, except for land
in WRP, CRP and GRP. Signup is open on a watershed-by-watershed basis.
- Contract: 5-10 year contracts in three different tiers of participation. The
maximum annual payment ranges from $20,000 to $45,000 per year.
- Contact: NRCS, SWCDs
Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA)
- Purpose: To assist land users to plan and install resource management systems
that will improve and protect natural resources on their land.
- Systems: Includes many different practices to reduce soil erosion; improve soil,
water, and air quality; improve and restore wetlands; enhance fish and wildlife
habitat; improve pasture and rangeland; reduce upstream flooding; and improve
woodlands.
- Eligibility: All land users may receive technical assistance from the NRCS.
Land users are encouraged to work through their local Soil and Water
Conservation District (SWCD) to become district cooperators.
- Contract: Contracts vary by programs and practices.
- Contact: NRCS, SWCDs
Debt Cancellation Conservation Contract
(Debt for Nature)
- Purpose: To provide opportunity to cancel a portion of indebtedness in
exchange for a conservation contract.
- Eligibility: Landowner must owe the FSA and have marginal croplands or other
environmentally sensitive lands for conservation, recreation, and wildlife
purposes.
- Contract: 10, 30 or 50 years.
- Contacts: FSA, FWS
EPA Section 319 Program
- Purpose: To provide funding for watershed-based water quality projects that
demonstrate and implement conservation practices to protect priority water
bodies from agricultural and other nonpoint pollution sources.
- Practices: Funds can be used for a variety of traditional and innovative
conservation practices that provide water quality benefits.
- Eligibility: Individual landowners and legal entities such as non-profit
organizations and communities participating in U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) Section 319 water quality projects.
- Contract: Funding for conservation practices is typically administered
through contracts with local SWCDs.
- Contacts: Iowa DNR, SWCD, EPA
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
- Purpose: To provide technical and financial assistance to landowners to
develop and implement conservation plans that address specific natural resource
concerns.
- Practices: Livestock manure management, grazing land management, soil erosion
control, and water quality improvement practices are eligible for financial
assistance
statewide.
- Eligibility: Agricultural producers on agricultural land are eligible.
Projects are selected based on environmental benefits.
- Contract: Up to 10 year contracts. Agricultural producers may be eligible for
payments up to $450,000 for all contracts for the length of the
2002 Farm Bill.
- Contact: NRCS, SWCDs, FSA
Farm Pond Program
- Purpose: To provide quality fishing opportunities for licensed anglers.
- Eligibility: DNR will provide fish free of charge if ponds meet the following
criteria: new or renovated and free of fish; surface area of at least 1/2 acre;
maximum depth of at least 8 feet; fenced to exclude livestock with a 60 foot
minimum buffer between pond edge and fence.
- Contract: Landowner signs agreement to follow recommendations regarding
management of the pond and adjacent wildlife area.
- Contacts: DNR
Financial and Reports Management System (FARMS)
- Purpose: to provide internet
access to obtain the most up-to-date IDALS/DSC program information, to locate
local soil and water conservation district contact information for technical
assistance, to apply online for cost-share assistance, and to review your
private account information at your convenience.
- Details:
FARMS allows you to apply online for cost-share assistance, follow your
practice application from sign-up to payment, review maintenance/performance
agreements relevant to your soil and water conservation practices, and manage
your individual account at your convenience.
- Contacts:
https://idals.iowa.gov/FARMS/ or SWCDs
FWS Programs
- The FWS offers two types of programs to Iowa landowners, including land
acquisition and technical assistance. For more specifics contact the Iowa
Private Lands Coordinator, P.O. Box 399, Prairie City, IA 50228, phone,
515.994.3400.
Forest Land Enhancement Program (FLEP)
- Purpose: Assist landowners to develop and implement a forest management plan.
- Practices: Forest stand improvement, tree planting, site preparations for
natural regeneration, agro forage, watershed protection, wildlife habitat
improvement, invasive species control, savanna restoration and forest
stewardship planning.
- Eligibility: Landowners with two or more acres.
- Contract: Agree to maintain practices for estimated life span. A management
plan is required. Up to 75 percent.
- Contact: DNR
General Non-Point Source Program (Low-Interest Loans)
- Eligible Projects (not limited to): restoration of wildlife habitat, stream
bank stabilization, urban stormwater management, remediation of storage tanks,
water conservation and reuse, and wetland flood prevention areas.
- More Details
through the Iowa DNR
Iowa District Initiative
- Purpose: To provide funding to accelerate the implementation of federal
conservation programs to protect water quality and fragile land.
- Practices: All of the practices available through EQIP, WHIP, WRP, and
continuous CRP, including buffer strips, waterways, riparian buffers, contour
buffer strips, shallow water areas for wildlife, wellhead protection, etc.
- Eligibility: Landowners with land that qualifies for federal conservation
programs.
- Contract: 10-15 years, the length of the CRP contract.
- Contact: DSC, SWCDs, NRCS
Iowa Water Protection Fund (REAP)
- Purpose: To provide funding for water quality improvement practices in
watersheds above priority lakes and streams, and to protect ground water.
- Practices: Land treatment and nutrient management practices, such as
terraces, waterways, grade stabilization, stream bank stabilization, manure
management, integrated crop management, etc.
- Eligibility: SWCDs, landowners, and operators in approved Water Quality
Projects.
- Contract: Permanent practices require 20-year maintenance agreements.
Management practices require performance agreements.
- Contacts: DSC, SWCDs, NRCS
Livestock Water Quality Facilities Program (Low-Interest Loans)
- Eligible Projects (not limited to): lagoons, manure management structures and
equipment, processing equipment, vegetative filters, and the development of
manure management plans.
- More Details through
the Iowa DNR
Local Water Protection Loan Program (Low Interest
Loans)
- Purpose: Provide loans for permanent soil conservation practices that are
designed to improve water quality and to prevent surface water runoff from open
feedlots. Loans can fund 100% of the practice costs or they can be used in
conjunction with state and federal programs. Loans range from $5,000-$50,000,
with terms up to 10 years.
- Eligibility: Under federal guidelines, loan funds cannot be used for projects
in concentrated animal feed operations (CAFOs).
- Contacts: SWCDs, DSC, NRCS, Private Lenders
No Interest Loan Program
- Purpose: To provide no interest loans to eligible landowners for the
constructions permanent soil conservation practices contained in a
conservation plan.
- Practices: SWCDs set priorities for practices to fund. Examples include
terraces, waterways, and structures.
- Eligibility: Landowners must be able to secure the loan, be capable of
repaying the loan, and be a cooperator with the SWCD.
- Contacts: SWCDs, DSC, NRCS
On-site Wastewater Assistance Fund
- Purpose: To provide low interest loans to repair or replace on-site septic
systems.
- Eligibility: Landowners must be able to secure the loan, be capable of
repaying the loan and be approved by the county.
- Contracts: Landowners may borrow from $2,000 to $10,000 for up to 10 years.
- Contacts: County, DNR
Shelterbelt Program
- Purpose: To provide funding for tree and shrub planting for energy
conservation and wildlife habitat.
- Practices: Funding to establish new or expand existing tree and shrub
shelterbelts around farmsteads or feedlots for energy conservation benefits.
- Eligibility: Statewide. Plantings must be around occupied farmsteads and
feedlots.
- Contract: Iowa DNR provides up to 75% of total cost, not to exceed $200 per
row, for 8- to 14-row shelterbelts. Trees and shrubs must be planted around
farmsteads or feedlots for energy conservation benefits.
- Contacts: DNR
State Cost-Share
- Purpose: To provide cost-share or incentives on permanent and management
conservation practices to control erosion and reduce sediment.
- Practices: SWCDs set priorities for practices to fund. Examples include
terraces, waterways, and structures.
- Eligibility: Any landowner who is a district cooperator and enters into a
voluntary agreement with the district to install and maintain an approved
conservation practice.
- Contracts: Up to 50% cost-share and up to a 20-year maintenance agreement.
- Contacts: DSC, SWCDs, NRCS
Note: DSC funds are administered through local SWCDs.
State Loan Program
- Purpose: To provide no interest loans to eligible landowners for the
construction of permanent soil conservation practices contained in a
conservation plan.
- Practices: SWCDs set priorities for practices to fund. Examples include
terraces, waterways, and structures.
- Eligibility: Landowners must be able to secure the loan, be capable of
repaying the loan, and be a cooperator with the SWCD.
- Contracts for conservation practices: Cooperators may borrow up to $10,000
for a 10-year period and sign a 20-year maintenance agreement.
- Contracts for livestock program: Minimum loan of $10,000; Lifespan not to
exceed 20 years and plans must be approved by the DNR.
- Contacts: SWCDs, DSC, NRCS
Note: DSC funds are administered through local SWCDs.
State Watershed Protection Practices
- Purpose: Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) funds and Iowa Watershed
Protection Program (WSPF) provide cost-share or incentives to address local
water quality protection needs.
- Practices: Each SWCD sets priorities for practices. Examples include tree
plantings, windbreaks, land use conversion practices, and traditional erosion
control practices.
- Eligibility: Landowners who are SWCD cooperators and enter into voluntary
agreements with the district to install and maintain approved conservation
practices contained in a conservation plan.
- Contracts: Up to 75% cost-share and up to a 20-year maintenance agreement.
- Contacts: DSC, SWCDs, NRCS
Note: DSC funds are administered through local SWCDs.
Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP)
- Purpose: To develop and implement a conservation plan for restoration of
wetlands previously altered for agricultural use.
- Practices: Wetland restoration and wildlife habitat establishment.
- Eligibility: Land that has been owned for one year and that could be restored
to wetland conditions.
- Contract: Landowners may restore wetlands with permanent easements, 30-year
easements or 10-year contracts. Permanent easements pay 100% of the agricultural
value of the land and 100% cost-share for restoration; 30-year easements pay 75%
of the agricultural value and 75% cost-share for restoration; 10-year contracts
pay 75% cost-share of restoration only. Permanent or 30-year easements are
recorded with property deeds. Ten-year contracts are not recorded with deeds.
- Contact: NRCS, SWCDs
Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)
- Purpose: To develop or improve fish and wildlife habitat on privately owned
land through the application of a conservation plan.
- Practices: Seeding, tree and shrub plantings, fencing, instream structures,
and prairie restoration.
- Eligibility: Almost any type of land is eligible, including agricultural and
non-agricultural land, woodlots, pastures, and streambanks.
- Contract: Usually 5-10 years to install and maintain the habitat. Financial
assistance may be available for restoration costs, to a maximum of $25,000.
Other organizations may provide additional financial assistance.
- Contact: NRCS, SWCDs
Where to Go for Assistance
The NRCS, DSC, and local SWCD staff are located at the local USDA Service
Center in every county in Iowa. They provide free technical assistance on a
voluntary basis to landowners to help them conserve and protect the soil, water,
wildlife, and other natural resources on their land.
The Iowa DNR Forestry Bureau has 13 district forestry offices that provide
free technical assistance to landowners in establishing new tree and riparian
buffer strip plantings, and in woodland management planning and timber stand
improvements. Landowners may purchase select seedlings at cost from the State
Forest Nursery at 1-800-865-2477. Iowa DNR biologists also provide conservation
assistance to landowners throughout the state.
Numerous other organizations and agencies provide conservation assistance or
programs, including local Pheasants Forever Chapters, Ducks Unlimited, the
Nature Conservancy, the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Iowa State University
Extension, and Resource Conservation and Development offices. Contact your local
NRCS office for ideas and local contact information.
Abbreviations of Conservation Agencies
NRCS—USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov
SWCDs— Soil and Water Conservation Districts
(See DSC website)
DSC—Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Division of Soil
Conservation
www.agriculture.state.ia.us/soilconservation.html
FSA—USDA Farm Service Agency
www.fsa.usda.gov/ia
Iowa DNR—Iowa Department of Natural Resources
www.iowadnr.com
FWS—U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
www.fws.gov
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