State Water Resources Cost-Share Program (SWRCSP)

How it works

Riley County’s State Water Resources Cost-Share Program is a county conservation-district cost-share program for approved conservation practices. The county page says you must complete a sign-up application and receive an approval contract before any construction can start. (rileycountyks.gov)

What the money covers

The county lists a number of eligible practices. For wildfire home-hardening purposes, the relevant ones are:

• Dry Hydrant: “to provide access to water supplies for use in combating wildfires and prescribed burning.” The county page lists the practice but does not state a dollar amount in the excerpt returned. (rileycountyks.gov)
• Feedlot Windbreak and Field Windbreak: tree planting, fencing, and mulching at a cost-share rate of 70% of the county average cost, not to exceed 70% of actual cost. (rileycountyks.gov)
• Tree Planting: tree planting at a cost-share rate of 70% of the county average cost, not to exceed 70% of actual cost. (rileycountyks.gov)
• Mulching: weed barrier fabric at a cost-share rate of 70% of the county average cost, not to exceed 70% of actual cost. (rileycountyks.gov)

The same page also lists other erosion and water-management practices, such as contour buffer strips, critical area planting, fencing, filter strips, grade stabilization structures, grassed waterways, range seeding, spring development, streambank and shoreline protection, underground outlets, waste storage facilities, and water and sediment control basins. One listed practice, Grade Stabilization Structure, has a $5,000 maximum payment limit. (rileycountyks.gov)

Amounts and matching

The county repeatedly states a 70% cost-share rate for eligible practices, generally capped at 70% of county-average cost and not more than 70% of actual cost. The page does not say whether the payment is made up front or as reimbursement. (rileycountyks.gov)

How to apply

The county says applicants must submit a sign-up application and receive approval before starting construction. For details, it directs residents to the Riley County offices / conservation district. (rileycountyks.gov)

Timing and deadlines

The page shown does not give a current application window or deadline. The county’s broader USDA page says sign-up dates may be announced throughout the year for related programs, but that is not a current SWRCSP deadline. (rileycountyks.gov)