Cost Share Program Info

THE PROCESS - FAQs

What decision-making will be utilized to determine where BMPs will be targeted within critical areas?


Each application will be ranked using the form available at your local SWCD office. Applications accepted on a rolling basis: February 1, April 1, July 1, October 1.

Those located in the priority funding areas, adjacent to streams, on highly erodible soils or in floodplains will rank higher. Some BMPs will rank higher than others, but the priorities are as follows:


  • Priority 1: Access Control/fencing, Cover Crop, Field Border/Buffer Strip/Riparian forest buffer, Forage/Biomass Planting, Streambank Stabilization, Livestock restriction/prescribed grazing, Heavy use area protection, Nutrient/Pest Management, University fertilization recommendations/Soil testing
  • Priority 2: All other agricultural practices (See the full list online at PutnamSWCD.org)

 Priorities may be added as needed.


Who is the target audience of this cost-share?

The target audience for this cost-share program is landowners and farm operators who own or operate land within the critical areas of the Big Walnut Creek Watershed.


What percentage of cost-share is available?

Up to 75% of the total cost for practices listed above will be cost-shared. The remaining percent cost will be paid by the landowner via cash or in-kind service. The steering committee may elect to offer an applicant less than 75% of the cost if not enough funding is available to fund the full 75%. Also note that Caps will be applied to streambank stabilization, permeable pavement, and equipment modifications.


Interested in learning more about the Big Walnut Creek

Watershed project? Read about this and other efforts on

our website at www.PutnamSWCD.org


DO YOU OWN LAND WITHIN THE BIG

WALNUT CREEK WATERSHED?

THEN YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE
FOR UP TO 75% COST-SHARE FUNDS.


INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE?

Contact Sara Campfield, Putnam Co SWCD

Website: www.putnamswcd.org/

Email: sara.campfield@in.nacdnet.net

Phone: (765) 653-5716

Mail: 1007 Mill Pond Lane Ste. C

Greencastle, IN 46135

WHAT IS COST-SHARE?

The voluntary cost-share program is intended to provide landowners the financial and technical assistance to install conservation practices (BMPs). The program will provide 75% of the actual cost of Best Management Practice (BMP) implementation in the critical areas of the watershed. These BMPs provide lasting benefits for soil and water quality.


WHERE THIS APPLIES:

BMPs must be implemented in critical areas (green). 

Eligible Best Management Practices Include:

Access Control/fencing

Streambank Stabilization

Grassed Waterway

Livestock restriction/

Prescribed grazing

Cover Crop

Heavy Use Area Protection

Conservation Cover

Nutrient/Pest Management

Variable Rate Application

Field Border/Buffer

Strip/Riparian forest Buffer

Forage/Biomass Planting

University Fertilizer Recommendations/Soil Testing

The Equipment Modifications to implement these and other BMPs

Bold = High Priority Practices 

Section 319 Cannot Fund:

Purchase of large agricultural equipment or other large pieces of equipment (equipment modifications and leasing are allowable) Projects directed at water quantity rather than water quality, such as drainage/flood control or channelization Any practices, equipment, or supplies used to fulfill the requirements of a Federal permit, such as an NPDES permit, or to comply with a State rule or permit, such as IDEM's Confined Feeding Operation Rule (327 IAC 16), or to meet enforcement requirements

Practices not installed in accordance with standards and specs developed by NRCS, IDNR or other recognized standards Practices at a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Wetland mitigation sites

Incentive payments of any kind

Dredging, Yield losses, Sales tax, Purchase of land Practices not sanctioned by IDEM


If you are ready to apply for Cost-Share funds, applications are available at your local Soil & Water Conservation District.


Putnam Co SWCD/NRCS

(765) 653-5716 ext 3

Boone Co SWCD/NRCS

(765) 482-6355 ext 3

Hendricks Co SWCD/NRCS

(317) 745-2555 ext 3

Sara Peel, Arion Consultants 

(765) 337-9100

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