News Release

Landowners in Big Sandy Watershed Eligible for Water Quality Funding

Agricultural producers located in eligible watershed now have until April 19 to apply.

LINCOLN, Feb. 20, 2019 - The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service is working with landowners in the Big Sandy watershed to protect water quality. Funds are available to landowners within this watershed through the Water Quality Initiative to install conservation practices that improve water quality. The deadline to sign up for these funds has been extended to April 19. Landowners interested in applying for conservation practice funds should visit their local NRCS office.

This Initiative provides eligible landowners financial assistance to install conservation practices like cover crops, terraces, irrigation water management and buffer strips to reduce soil erosion and improve water quality in the Big Sandy Watershed located in portions of Thayer and Fillmore counties (see map).

The targeted watershed was identified with help from the Little Blue Natural Resources District and the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality. According to NRCS, targeting this watershed through the Water Quality Initiative will strengthen the overall effort to improve water quality in impaired streams in Nebraska. 

District Conservationist Janet Valasek said, “The conservation practices available through this initiative work to improve soil health and prevent erosion, keeping soil out of streams and improving water quality.”

Interested landowners and operators should check with the local NRCS office to see if their farm or ranch is in the area eligible to receive Water Quality Initiative funding. CLICK HERE for more information.

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