Cost-Share Programs
for Riparian Areas

Many opportunities exist for landowners to receive assistance establishing and maintaining riparian forest buffers. For specific details and eligibility requirements, contact the appropriate agency or group.

• Kansas Forest Service, 785-532-3300
  The Rural Forestry Program provides landowners with technical assistance in managing riparian forestland and establishing riparian forest buffers along streams with no woody vegetation. Cost-share assistance through the Forest Land Enhancement Program (FLEP) is available to improve forestlands and establish riparian forest buffers. The Kansas Forest Service also serves as a source for conservation seedlings.
  
• Marais des Cygnes Watershed Riparian Forestry Initiative, 785-242-2073
  The initiative offers technical and cost-share assistance to landowners for establishment of riparian forest buffers and timber stand improvement along streams in the Marais des Cygnes River Basin.
• Farm Service Agency, 785-539-3531
  The Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CCRP) offers cost-share assistance to landowners to establish riparian forest buffers through specific conservation practices: CP-22, riparian buffers, and CP-31, bottomland timber establishment.
• Natural Resources Conservation Service, 785-823-4500
  The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides technical and cost-share assistance for landowners to establish and manage riparian forest buffers. NRCS also offers financial and technical assistance to restore, protect, and manage wetlands through the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP).
• Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, 620-672-5911
  The Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program (WHIP) offers landowners technical and financial assistance to establish wildlife plantings, including those along riparian areas.
• Kansas State Conservation Commission, 785-296-3600 The commission administers programs to improve water resources and provides financial assistance through programs including the Riparian and Wetland Protection Program (RWPP), Water Resources Cost-Share Program (WRCSP), and the Governor’s Water Quality Buffer Initiative. Technical assistance is provided by NRCS and through county conservation districts. Many county conservation districts have buffer coordinators available to help landowners establish riparian forest buffers.
• Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy, 785-296-1500
  Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) groups are forming across the state to develop and implement plans for watershed protection. Organized groups assist landowners with cost-share opportunities that include the planting and managing of riparian forest buffers.