The Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation 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 the Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation Program (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.
A number of practices are eligible for cost-share under NSWCP. Each practice listed below is eligible for 50-65% cost-share.
The following practices are listed in the following format:
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.