The Milford Lake Watershed Regional Conservation Partnership Program was launched at the Governor’s Water Conference in November of 2018 to improve water quality conditions within the Milford Lake Watershed. More than 30 partners have joined together for that multi-million dollar effort.

According to the Kansas Water Office harmful algal blooms have been an issue at Milford every since 2011. To help address that problem, financial assistance is available to landowners with the goal of reducing runoff from precipitation events and nutrient loading in the watershed by 31,000 pounds of phosphorus annually. The Milford Lake Watershed includes portions of Geary, Dickinson, Riley, Clay, Cloud, Mitchell, Washington, Republic and Jewell counties.

Funding available through the Natural Resources Conservation Service Environmental Quality Incentives Program for producers in those counties to implement practices to address water quality concerns. Some of the water quality improvement best management practices that are available for funding are nutrient management, residue management, filter strips, grass plantings, cover crops and others.

Producers interested in participating can visit the local USDA or Conservation District office. Funding for those EQIP practices is set at 75 percent and through RCPP partner contributions, some of those practices will be funded up to 90 percent of the program payment rate. This is a continuous signup program:  however, the next application ranking signup deadline is March 15th. Funding of practices at this level may not always be available so producers can take advantage while the opportunity exists.

Visit www.kwo.ks.gov for more information.