Conservation Programs
Tri-Basin NRD offers a variety of cost-share programs to landowners in Phelps, Gosper and Kearney counties in Nebraska. The items below provide detailed information about each program or service.
Conservation Trees Cost-Share
Windbreak and Windbreak Renovation Cost-share is available for removing old windbreaks and planting new ones. It is best to plan a windbreak renovation at least one year in advance to allow for cost-share application, old windbreak removal, proper ground preparation and seedling planting. In order to be eligible for funding, cost-share applications must be approved by the NRD board before you start a project. The site must be inspected prior to starting any work. Your NRCS office can help with the plans and paperwork.
Cost-share funds for trees and plastic mulch are available through the Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation Program (NSWCP) or the Tri-Basin NRD cost-share fund. You should apply at your county NRCS office before March 1. All sites must be properly prepared before planting to qualify for cost-share. Reimbursement is made only after full payment is received. The minimum project size eligible for cost-share is $500 (and 750 feet). There may also be limited cost-share available from your county USDA Farm Service Agency. Pheasants Forever offers programs for wildlife habitat improvement. NRCS staff can help you determine which program has funds available and best suits your needs.
Tri-Basin NRD bills for trees-tree planting service after completion. Full payment is due upon receipt of the billing. Cost-share forms will not be finalized until payment is received at the Tri-Basin or NRCS office.
For more information about cost-share programs, contact Carie Lynch at clynch@tribasinnrd.org.
Related Link:
Nebraska Buffer Strip Program
What is a Buffer? Conservation buffers are best described as strips or other areas of land in permanent vegetation that help control pollutants and manage other environmental concerns. Conservation buffers are a simple way to help you stay profitable and protect your most valuable asset: your land. Buffers are also a great way to demonstrate your commitment to conservation.
How to sign up: The staff at your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office (Minden, Holdrege, or Elwood) or at Tri-Basin NRD can help you identify the buffer practices best suited to your operation. If your buffer strip application is approved, you can earn up to $250 per acre per year for the length of your contract period (usually 5 to 10 years). The Nebraska Buffer Strip Program is sponsored by the United State Department of 
Agriculture.
Click here to visit the Nebraska Department of Agriculture's website.
For more information about the Nebraska Buffer Strip Program, contact Nate Munter at nmunter@tribasinnrd.org.
Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation Program (NSWCP)
The Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation (NSWCP) Act, established in 1977, is administered by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources. The Act established the Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation Fund, providing state financial assistance to Nebraska landowners for the installation of approved soil and water conservation measures that improve water quality, conserve water, and help control erosion and sedimentation. This program is funded by the Nebraska Unicameral.
The Nebraska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is responsible for determining eligible practices and establishing 
operating procedures for NSWCP. DNR allocates funds among the state's 23 Natural Resources Districts and approves payments to landowners. Natural resources districts are responsible for administering the NSWCP program at the local level according to state rules and regulations. The USDA/NRCS provides technical assistance in planning and developing the approved conservation measures. In order to be eligible for funding, cost-share applications must be approved by the NRD board before you start a project. Listed below are the cost-share practices available through Tri-Basin NRD:
Eligible Nebraska Conservation (NC) Practices
NC - 1 Constructing Terrace Systems
NC - 2 Constructing Terrace Underground Outlets
NC - 3 Constructing Water Impoundment Dames
NC - 4 Constructing Grade Stabilization Structures
NC - 5 Constructing Irrigation Tailwater Recovery Pits with or without Underground Return Pipe
NC - 6 Constructing Diversions
NC - 7 Constructing Grasses Waterways
NC - 8 Constructing Water-and-Sediment-Control Basins
NC - 9 Constructing Dugouts for Livestock Water (runoff collection only)
NC - 10 Pasture Planting or Range Seeding (land use conversions)
NC - 11 Critical Area Planting (grass)
NC - 12 Windbreaks
NC - 13 Constructing Underground Return Pipe from Irrigation Tailwater Recovery Pits
NC - 14 Planned Grazing Systems
NC - 16 Windbreak Renovation
NC - 17 Irrigation Water Management
NC - 18 Stream Bank Stabilization
NC - 19 Repair of Practices
NC - 20 Brush Management
For more information about NSWCP, contact Sasha Hahn at shahn@tribasinnrd.org.
Links to related sites:
Nebraska Department of Natural Resources
Pheasants Forever/Corners for Wildlife
The Corners for Wildlife program began in 1995. Farmers can plant grasses or a m
ixture of trees and shrubs. The program's purpose is to replant center pivot corners from crops into wildlife habitats. Nebraska is the only state with a Corners for Wildlife program and there is great demand by farmers to get into the program. Through the program, farmers agree to maintain the corners as a wildlife habitat for five years. Materials and equipment costs are paid by Pheasants Forever and the NRD pays for tree planting. The Nebraska Environmental Trust pays annual rent payments to the farmer, up to $100 per acre.
For more information about Pheasants Forever/Corners for Wildlife, contact Nate Munter at nmunter@tribasinnrd.org.
Check out these related websites!
Water Conservation Incentive Program (WCIP)
Water Conservation Incentive Program (WCIP) is designed to encourage participants to be more efficient irrigators and help sustain groundwater supplies. Initially it focused on groundwater only, but was expanded to include irrrigators who have both surface water and groundwater wells (commingled parcels) to use canal water rather than groundwater on those fields. More information can be found in the sheet below. If you are interested in learning more about this program please contact John Thorburn or Tammy Fahrenbruch at 308-995-6688.
WCIP Program Information Sheet
Well Decommissioning Cost-Share Program
Groundwater is a valuable resource, which must be protected. The best way to insure good water quality is to prevent contamination before it occurs. A potential source for groundwater contamination is abandoned and improperly constructed water wells, which provide a direct conduit for pollutants to contaminate an aquifer. Abandoned wells can be found in almost any area. Some are easy to spot; many are hidden and represent a trap for people and animals.
Abandoned and improperly constructed wells allow runoff directly down to the aquifer, often carrying fertilizer and chemical residues into the groundwater. The proper decommissioning of water wells is required by law. The basic concept in the proper decommissioning of wells is to return the well hole as near as possible to original conditions, then filling and properly sealing the well.
Tri-Basin NRD Requirements for Cost-Share: Tri-Basin NRD will cost-share on 60 percent, up to a maximum of $500 on decommissioning of all water wells other than hand-dug wells, and up to a maximum of $700 on hand-dug wells. The work must be performed by a licensed contractor (certified well driller). The Well Decommissioning Cost-Share application must be approved by TBNRD before the work is performed. The landowner has 6 months or until the end of the fiscal year (June 30), whichever comes first, to complete the well abandonment cost-share application and return it to TBNRD. When work is completed, an invoice totaling the cost of the abandonment and a Notice of Water Well Abandonment (that has been approved by DNR) must accompany the completed cost-share application that is sent to TBNRD.
Click here to print a Well Decommissioning Cost-Share Application and W-9.
For more information about Well Decommissioning Cost-Share, contact Esther Smith at esmith@tribasinnrd.org.
Soil Moisture Sensors
Tri-Basin Natural Resources District (Tri-Basin NRD) is now offering a Soil Moisture Sensor Cost-Share Program targeted at landowners in the Republican Basin section of the district. This initiative aims to enhance irrigation efficiency and contribute to sustainable water management practices.
Under this program, eligible landowners within the Republican Basin can receive 60 percent cost-share for the purchase or lease of soil moisture sensors for the upcoming 2024 crop year. The cost-share is limited to $2,500 per field, focusing solely on equipment costs and excluding data subscription services.
- Application Deadline: Landowners are encouraged to apply promptly as the application period closes on April 1, 2024, or when allocated funds are exhausted, whichever comes first.
- Approval Process: Each application requires approval from the NRD board of directors.
- Reimbursement Process: Upon approval, landowners are required to pay the full upfront cost for the soil moisture sensor equipment. An itemized invoice should then be submitted to the local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office for reimbursement.
- Commitment Period: Participating landowners commit to installing soil moisture sensors and completing a water use survey for three years. Sensors must be installed before the first irrigation or by June 1, 2024.
- Maximum Cost-Share: The program extends a maximum cost-share of $5,000 per landowner annually.
- Equipment Ownership: Landowners must retain ownership of the purchased equipment for a period of five years.
- Compliance: To be eligible, landowners must adhere to all NRD rules. Enrolled fields are required to have functioning flowmeters in place.
Interested landowners can apply for the Soil Moisture Sensor Cost-Share Program through their local NRCS office. For additional information, please contact Tri-Basin NRD at 877.995.6688 or reach out to your local NRCS office.
Nitrogen Reduction Incentive Act (NiRIA)
A new statewide program to reduce nitrogen usage by providing incentives to producers. Applicants who are approved for participation in this program will receive a check for adopting new technologies or utilizing new management practices that result in reducing their nitrogen application by the lesser of 40lbs or by 15%. For more information, please review the Tri-Basin NRD NiRIA application and guidance documents below.
Priority will be given to TBNRD phase II and III groundwater quality management areas and wellhead protection areas (see map). These areas have an incentive payment of $15 per acre. Producers may contact Tri-Basin Natural Resources District (TBNRD) to determine if they farm in a priority area.
Producers will have to provide documentation to TBNRD verifying that they have utilized approved practices to reduce their nitrogen application. The program limits eligible crops to corn, sugar beets, and potatoes.
The incentives offered through this program can be combined with other programs or incentives offered by USDA-NRCS, or other entities. Producers are also given flexibility to determine how they will reduce their nitrogen application, but they will need to work with TBNRD on implementation to ensure that they comply with program rules.
TBNRD will rank and score applications to identify and select those which provide the greatest potential benefit to groundwater quality. Application approval will also be limited by available funding. Applications need to be submitted to TBNRD and are due before January 7th, 2025. Producers have until January 15th, 2026, to submit documentation of reduction in their 2025 nitrogen application to be eligible for payment.
Interested producers can apply for the Nitrogen Reduction Incentive Program (NRIP) by contacting Pat Nott or Carrie Putnam at Tri-Basin NRD. Tri-Basin NRD's application period is from November 15, 2024 - January 7, 2025.
The program is available statewide. For information about this program in other NRDs contact them directly or for general questions about the program please contact your local NRD or Alexa Davis at the Department of Natural Resources (NeDNR).
Alexa Davis: (402)-471-3948 or alexa.davis@nebraska.gov
Web link for documents: https://dnr.nebraska.gov/lb-1368-nitrogen-reduction-incentive-program