The Lower Loup Natural Resources District provides cost-share funding for soil, water, and wildlife conservation practices. To qualify, a landowner must be in compliance with Lower Loup NRD rules and regulations and the NRD Board of Directors must approve any cost-share funds distributed.
The Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation Program provides cost-share funding through the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources and the Lower Loup NRD. The NRD administers the funding.
A number of practices are eligible for cost-share under NSWCP. Each practice listed below is eligible for 50% cost-share.
Practice ID | Practice Name | Purpose |
NC - 1 | Constructing Terrace Systems | To control erosion on cropland, to conserve water and to reduce pollution |
NC - 2 | Constructing Terrace Underground Outlets |
To dispose of excess water from a terrace system |
NC - 3 | Constructing Water Impoundment Dams |
To impound runoff, conserve water, prevent erosion, prevent pollution, and to enhance groundwater recharge |
NC - 4 | Constructing Grade Stabilization Structures |
To stabilize the grade in an existing watercourse to prevent or heal gully situations |
NC - 5 | Constructing Irrigation Tailwater Recovery Pits with or without Underground Return Pipe |
To impound runoff from irrigated fields for reuse; hence, conserving groundwater |
NC - 6 | Constructing Diversions | To divert water from areas where it is in excess to sites where it can be used or disposed of safely |
NC - 7 | Constructing Grass Waterways | To shape natural or constructed waterways to required dimensions and vegetate for safe disposal of runoff from a field, diversion, terraces or other structure. |
NC - 8 | Constructing Water-and- Sediment-Control Basins |
To reduce on-site erosion, reduce sediment, reduce sediment content in water, intercept and conduct surface runoff through subsurface conduits to stable outlets, reduce peak rate or volume of flow at downslope locations, reform the land surface, and improve farmability |
NC - 9 | Constructing Dugouts for Livestock Water (runoff collection only) |
To create an impoundment for livestock water use by excavating to collect runoff in grassland. |
NC - 10 | Pasture Planting or Range Seeding (land use conversions) |
To establish grass on land being converted from other uses or the renovation of existing pasture or range |
NC - 11 | Critical Area Planting (grass) | To stabilize the soil, reduce damage from sediment and runoff to downstream areas |
NC - 12 | Windbreaks | To establish a stand of trees to conserve soil and moisture and to prevent erosion |
NC - 13 | Constructing Underground Return Pipe from Irrigation Tailwater Recovery Pits |
To provide a permanent conveyance facility for water impounded by an approved Tailwater recovery Pit to the water supply that created the tailwater. |
NC - 14 | Planned Grazing Systems | To reduce erosion and improve water quality by maintaining or improving plant cover for increased forage production, enhanced wildlife habitat, grazing uniformity and water use efficiency |
NC - 16 | Windbreak Renovation | To provide for the restoration of farmstead or field windbreaks that have been rendered substantially ineffective due to the death of trees or other windbreak plantings as a result of weather, disease, or other natural causes |
NC - 17 | Irrigation Water Management | To conserve groundwater and surface water by improving water use efficiency on irrigated lands |
NC - 19 | Repair of Practices | To repair the following practices or practice elements when the damage to the practice is due to natural cause(s) rather than improper or inadequate maintenance; terraces, dams, diversions, grade stabilization structures, and livestock water supply pipelines. Any repair work must return the practice to a condition that meets technical specifications of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. |
Pheasants Forever, the Nebraska Environmental Trust, and the Lower Loup NRD provide the cost-share assistance. The NRD administers the funding.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides funding for conservation through the farm bill. The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides technical assistance for these programs.
Cost-share assistance for gates and gaskets, as well as drip oilers, has been discontinued by the Lower Loup NRD.