What is cost share?

Cost share is a program set up by the State Conservation Commission (SCC) and the State of Kansas, with funding provided from the Water Plan Fund, to allocate money to conservation districts across the state to help landowners pay the cost of installing and constructing conservation practices on their land.  The cost share program is not a loan program; the money paid to landowners through cost share is virtually free money! 

Cost share is divided into the Non-Point Source Pollution Control Program and the Water Resource Cost Share Program.  Franklin County has received $33,959.00 for our NPS program and $17,890.00 for the WR cost share program for SFY2011. 

How Do I Apply?

Step 1: print and complete a cost share application and mail or fax (785-242-2409) it to the Franklin County Conservation District during designated application period (s).  Applications for SFY2011 are due prior to 4PM Friday July 2, 2010.

Step 2: Depending on what type of practice you are planning to install a field visit may need to be scheduled with one of the NRCS staff to determine your project needs.  NRCS staff provides technical assistance to the Conservation District and Franklin County landowners by doing design work, stakeout, and final inspection of most practices. 

Step 3: Once your "needs" have been established your application will be taken to the Conservation District Board (on August 5, 2010 for SFY2011) for review and possible approval.  Approval is based on many criteria including water quality benefit and erosion control. 

Step 4: At this point your application is submitted to the State Conservation Commission for approval.  SCC verifies the practice and availability of funds. 

Step 5: Once your application is approved by the SCC you will sign a landowner contract.  This contract outlines all terms set forth by the SCC pertaining to the program which must be agreed to.  Once the contract has been signed and returned to our office you may begin working on the project.  NO WORK SHALL BEGIN PRIOR TO THIS POINT.

Step 6: Once your project is complete, a copy of all bills must be submitted to the Conservation District Office.  A request for payment will be completed and sent to the SCC for processing.  It usually takes two weeks from the time bills are submitted AND final inspection is completed to receive your check in the mail. 

Other information landowners should know about the cost share program: 

Funding is provided by the State Conservation Commission with appropriations through the Kansas Water Plan Fund. 

Franklin County Conservation District is not responsible for arrangements, quotes, or contracts between individual landowners and contractors. 

All constructed practices must be designed and constructed to meet NRCS standards and specifications, with the exception of onsite waste systems. 

The Franklin County Conservation District has set the following funding limits: 

Livestock Waste Facilities $10,000.00

Onsite Waste Systems $3,000

All other projects are limited to $5,000.00

Funding limits are per project, per fiscal year. 

Landowners may complete multiple projects within the same fiscal year, not to exceed the $10,000 landowner limit. 

Soil testing is not included in the landowner limit.  Click here for more information on soil testing.     

Click Here for a list of conservation practices available through the cost share program in Franklin County

Photo Gallery of Conservation Practices

Find a contractor on our Contractor's List

All programs of the Franklin County Conservation District are available without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, age or handicap. 

Please note since funding is provided from the State of Kansas any landowner receiving $600 or more will receive a 1099G for tax purposes.  Cost share payments are subject to the State set-off program for debits owed to the State.