The Allamakee SWCD has revised its state cost share policy. Applications can be accepted at any time. Landowners interested in installing a conservation practice may contact the SWCD office to set up a time to meet with staff and look at the site(s). More detailed guidelines are available at the SWCD office.

Structural practices

1. No cost share will be approved to switch tile outlet terraces to a new type (ie: grassback to narrowbase).
2. Cost share may be approved to convert grassed waterway outlet terrace to tile inlet terrace if the existing terrace system in not under an existing maintenance agreement.
3. Cost share may be approved if entire system is going to be redone – most of terraces will be eliminated and the system will start over – may potentially use one terrace in the existing system. Cost share will not be approved if the existing terraces are under an existing maintenance agreement.
4. No cost share above the estimated cost will be allowed for any terrace where the storage section averages 12% slope or greater.
5. Terrace tile cost share will be limited to:
   1. Length of tile will be limited to the lessor of:
      1. Double the length of the terrace
      2. The first available stable outlet (up to 500’)
   2. Tile will be sized for the terraces being constructed. If the producer plans to add more terraces to the tile system, cost share may be approved to install tile 1 size larger up to 10” to accommodate additional future terraces.
   3. The estimated cost of 10” tile is the maximum amount eligible for cost share. Producer may install larger tile, but will be limited to the 10” rate.
6. If terrace tile outlets into a waterway, the waterway must be functioning with sufficient capacity to account for the runoff in the watershed and provide a stable outlet for the tile water. A strip of grass is not adequate, but cost share may be approved to reshape the waterway.
7. Sediment basins, grade stabilization structures, and grassed waterways will be considered equal with terraces for cost share priority if sheet and rill erosion are treated to “T” or less in 75% the drainage area.  These practices may be cost shared if this requirement is not met, but they will be given a lower priority.
8. Cost share may be approved for 1- 4” tile for waterways less than 40’ wide or 2-4” lines (1 on each side) may be approved if needed to keep the waterway dry.

Cover Crops

1. Cost share maybe approved for producers that have never received financial assistance to install cover crops in the past through State or Federal programs. Federal programs include EQIP, WHIP, and CSP.
2. Cost share is limited to 50% of the seed and seeding costs not to exceed $25 cost share per acre for up to 40 acres. Termination costs are not eligible for cost share.
3. The cover crop will be seeded by September 9 if a non-winter hardy cover crop such oats, barley, spring wheat, brassicas, and legumes. Winter hardy species such as winter wheat, cereal rye, and winter triticale may be seeded up to Oct 21st.
4. All cover crops seeded after October 1^st must be drilled or incorporated. Aerial and broadcast applications will not be eligible for cost share after October 1st.
5. Producer will select 1 one of the following options to establish the cover crop and plant the following cash crop. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of payment.
   • Cover crop will be no-tilled or broadcast seeded. The following cash crop will be no-tilled into the cover crop residue.
   • Single pass of tillage will only be allowed on corn stalks prior to seeding. Tillage will not include chisel plowing, or deep ripping.  There will be no tillage allowed on bean ground or silage ground prior to seeding.
   • Tillage or manure injection may be done prior to seeding the cover crop as long as the seeding is satisfactory.
   • Grazing the cover crops will only be allowed if the cover crop was seeded prior to Oct. 1^st and there is sufficient growth. If not seeded prior to Oct. 1^st there will be no grazing until March 1^st.
6. A seeding plan will be provided to the producer at the time of application approval.
7. If a producer uses their own seed, a germination test must be provided proving greater than 80% germination prior to distribution of cost share funds.

IDALS Buffers

1. Minimum buffer width will be determined by NRCS or district staff based on planned seeding mix, crop rotation, tillage, soils, and slope.
2. Maximum buffer width eligible for payment is 60 feet.
3. Headlands must be established on slopes greater than 5% and will be wide enough to eliminate end rows. Maximum width eligible for payment is 60 ft.
4. Buffers will be installed to NRCS standards and will be installed from the top of the hill downslope. The maximum cropped width below the top buffer will be 150ft.  If the producer fails to install the entire system as flagged in the field, payment will only be given to buffers installed from the top of the hill to the buffers that were not installed (ex- if 4 buffers are flagged on the slope and the top buffer and bottom 2 buffers are installed, only the top buffer is eligible for payment).  Failure to install the buffers as flagged may result in denial of payment.
5. A buffer may be installed at the bottom of the slope not to exceed twice the width of the other buffers in the system not to exceed 60 ft in width. To be eligible for payment a buffer at the bottom of a slope must be below a terrace or other buffer and the farmable distance between the buffers must not exceed NRCS standards.
6. If a producer encroaches on the contracted acres with row crops during the maintenance agreement, the producer will immediately destroy the crop and reseed the area as soon as practical. Failure to do so will result in the producer repaying the entire amount issued for installing the buffer system.
7. Priority of Funds will be given to new users of buffers. This will be determined by producer not by farm.
8. If you have been previously funded for buffers and buffers were not established, the board has the authority to decline your application.

Distribution of Funds

Funds will be distributed on a first come first serve basis.  Ponds or sediment basins will be limited to $10,000 cost-share dollars per structure.

If you have questions about these changes, call the SWCD office at 563-568-2246 ext. 3 or stop by 770 11th Ave SW in Waukon.

Policy updated 5/7/2024