A Publication of Flint Hills Resource Conservation & Development Inc.

Special Eagle Creak Edition

Volume 1 Issue 1

February 2011

In this issue: Eagle Creek Water Shed Adopted • BMP Auction • What the Heck is WRAPS? • What is RCD? • BMP Auction • Buffers • Survey • Assess Your Farm • Water Shed Scales • Keep it Covered • Cover Crop Workshop

Welcome to the Water Log

This newsletter is a quarterly publication of the Flint Hills Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council.    Flint Hills RC&D coordinates eight Watershed Restoration and Protection (WRAP) projects in the Flint Hills Region.  A map on page 3 shows the locations.  Eagle Creek Watershed is the newest which the RC&D is administering.  You have been identified as a landowner in this watershed.  A WRAPS description is given on page 2.

The Flint Hills Water Log is available in an electronic or paper hard copy version.  We can save money on the electronic version of the newsletter.  So, if you are willing and able to receive the newsletter electronically please send the editor an e-mail with your e-mail address.  The Water Log Editor is Paul Ingle and can be contacted at 785-640-2645 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  contact information is listed on page 2. We would also appreciate it greatly if you would take the time to complete a short survey on page 5. We look forward to serving you and keeping you informed about land and water issues that affect us all.    The Flint Hills Staff

Eagle Creek Watershed Adopted

The Flint Hills RC&D has adopted Eagle Creek Watershed.  This brings the number of WRAPS Watersheds administered by the RC&D up to 8.  The Coffey County Conservation District had been the WRAPS sponsor.  If you own land in Eagle Creek are eligible to participate in an upcoming BMP auction which is described below and on page 3.
Eagle Creek is a sub-watershed of the Neosho Headwaters Watershed and takes in Lyon, Coffey, and a small portion of Greenwood Counties.

WRAPS Implementation: 2005
Watershed Size: 114 sq. miles.
TMDL – Dissolved Oxygen
Project Coordinator: Scott Jones
3020 W 18th, Emporia KS  66801
Phone:  620-341-0240  
E-mail

Eagle Creek BMP Auction

Eagle Creek will be the first Flint Hills WRAPS project to utilize a BMP auction. A BMP stands for a Best Management Practice that is installed or executed on the land to achieve conservation objectives.  Common BMPs include terraces, waterways, buffer strips, fences, etc.  A description of BMPs which will be accepted by bid is given on page 3.  An auction is utilized for cost-share assistance to better target BMP implementation location and pollution reductions.  
A meeting to explain how all this works is planned for Thursday, February 24th at the Olpe Chicken House.  The meeting will run from 12 noon until 3 pm; lunch will be provided if you RSVP to Scott Jones by Friday February 18th.  If you are unable to attend this meeting can contact Scott and he will help you understand how it will work.  Contact Scott by Phone: 620-341-0240 or E-mail

What the Heck is WRAPS

The term "WRAPS" was coined by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) in response to the 1998 Clean Water Action Plan issued by the Clinton Administration. The Clean Water Action Plan directed the state environmental agency and the State Conservationist of each state to complete a "unified watershed assessment". Once the assessment was completed, states were then directed to develop "watershed restoration action strategies" (WRAS). Kansas added “protection” to the acronym and thus WRAPS was born.

In 2003, a review of the Kansas Water Plan showed that watershed restoration and protection was a priority issue in most of the river basins of Kansas, and an interagency work group was appointed to develop a Water Issue Strategic Plan. The work group found that Kansas and the federal government have many different programs and activities that address related water resource management issues. The work group determined that much more could be accomplished through a collaborative watershed planning process that addressed not only water quality/pollution issues but the entire spectrum of watershed water resources needs.

The WRAPS program is unique because the natural resource agencies of Kansas, supported by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), seek citizen and stakeholder input on how to best manage and protect our watersheds. Through WRAPS, local, state and federal program resources are being streamlined to do just that. Currently, there are over 40 WRAPS groups working throughout Kansas, each is run by a local stakeholder board or group. For more information check out the  WRAPs website.  

What is an RC&D

Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) is a unique partnership between the federal government and a local not-for-profit organization.  The purpose of RC&D is to accelerate the conservation, development and utilization of natural resources, improve the general level of economic activity, and enhance the environment and standard of living in the RC&D area. “Making Things Happen” has long been the slogan for RC&D.  
RC&Ds are often mistaken as a government agency because of their relationship with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).  The NRCS partnership, in general, provides operational support to the council.  This includes NRCS staff, office space, equipment and supplies, and vehicle.  This support allows the council to focus their time and energies on implementing project measures and not on annual fund raising activities needed for operational support.

The Flint Hills RC&D Council was formed in 1971 to provide technical and financial assistance to local units of governments. The Council is a local not-for-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation that serves Butler, Chase, Dickinson, Geary, Greenwood, Lyon, Marion, Morris and Wabaunsee Counties of Kansas.  Each of the nine county commissions and conservation districts support the Flint Hills RC&D Council.  The council is governed by a 36-member council/board that is made up of four representatives from each county.  The council helps people in rural areas plan and carry-out activities that address their locally identified needs and opportunities.  The Flint Hills RC&D office is located in the USDA Service Center at 3020 West 18th Ave, Emporia, KS 66801.  The RC&D Coordinator is Tom McGuire, and he can be reached at 620-340-0113-Ext. 9, or email. Tom would be happy to send you additional information about the organization. Check out our website.

"When drinking water, remember its source."

Chinese Proverb

BMP Auction: (Feb 25-May 2, 2011)

As an Eagle Creek property landowner, you have a unique opportunity to be involved in two best management practice (BMP) auctions.  In this setting you will submit bids for the purpose of implementing BMP’s.  There will be one auction with a focus on a reduction of soil erosion, and another auction focusing on a reduction of phosphorous from livestock practices.  Bids placed in each of the auctions will be ranked and funded based on cost-effectiveness; in other words, the BMPs that provide the most water quality improvement for the least cost will be funded.  Each landowner is only allowed to receive at a maximum $5,000 combined from both auctions.  Bids will be rejected and money will not be awarded if the payment from the BMP auction, outside agencies, and other cost sharing programs total more than 100% of final project cost.  

Complete auction applications are available on request and will be available at the February 24th, 2011 (12 noon) meeting at the Olpe Chicken House.  The bid applications will be due on May 2, 2011 at the Flint Hills RC&D office, 3020 W 18th Ste C, Emporia, KS 66801.

The BMP Auction Gives You:

• flexibility in choosing which BMP’s make sense in your operation – you can develop your won BMP
• funding you need to install and maintain selected BMP’s or the funding to supplement other projects funded by separate conservation programs
• a healthier watershed through the BMP’s impact on water quality in the Eagle Creek Watershed

Possible BMP's for Soil Erosion Reduction

The following soil erosion reducing BMP’s are commonly used in this area, when submitting bids you may use one or a combination of more than one BMP:

• Establish riparian vegetative buffer: area of land at the edge of the field and/or bordering a waterbody that is converted to permanent vegetation - varying widths result in different erosion reduction efficiencies. 
• Harvestable buffers (i.e. grazing or haying): with a grazing management plan (ie-number of animals, time, feed/water locations), will double (2x) the ranking used to evaluate bid against other bids submitted.Maintain expiring CRP in permanent cover: Keeping CRP vegetative cover for such uses as grazing or haying.  For example, bids may be based on fencing or stock water development costs or needs.
• No-Tillage: planting and drilling are the only operations which break the surface of the ground.  No-till must be continuous for 4 years.  
• Farm on the contour: tilling and planting across the slope following the contours for 3 years.
• Establish contour grass strips: planting strips of grass on the contours to control and filter runoff.
• Re-shape existing terraces: rebuilding and increasing the effectiveness of existing terraces.
• Establish terraces: establishing embankments which run perpendicular to the slope of the field.
• Establish permanent vegetation on entire field: converting grain cropland to hay, pasture, or rangeland.
• Establish grassed waterways: area of land within the field that is converted to permanent vegetation.
• Alter crop rotation away from continuous soybeans: changing to a crop rotation that does not include soybeans for at least 3 years.
• Other: a practice that reduces soil erosion.  The practice will be evaluated by the WRAPS stakeholder leadership team and an estimated erosion reduction efficiency will be assigned.

Possible BMP's for Phosphorous Reduction

The following phosphorous reducing BMP’s are commonly used in this area, when submitting bids you may use one or a combination of more than one BMP:

• Harvestable Vegetative Buffer Strip: An area of dense perennial grass vegetation that receives runoff from an animal feeding operation.  A buffer often requires an area of land equal to or greater than feeding site or drainage area.  Vegetative buffers may or may not require a sediment basin installed upslope, depending on size of operation, slope, soil, etc.  Management requires harvest of vegetative growth to remove accumulated nutrients.  Lifespan estimate: 10 years; approximate phosphorous reduction efficiency (PRE) of 50%.
  
• Sediment Basin: A designed depression or low area in which solid material such as manure, feed or debris may settle out before entering into a vegetative buffer.  Settling basins are most often used in conjunction with a vegetative buffer strip.  Management requires annual clean out.  Lifespan estimate: 10 years; PRE of 50%.  
  
• Lagoon: A pond-like earthen basin sized to provide biological treatment and long-term storage of animal waste.  Requires detailed maintenance plan.  Lifespan estimate: 15 years; PRE of 60-95%.
  
• Relocate feedlot or feeding pens (confinement feeding):  Move a feedlot or pens farther from a stream, waterway or body of water to increase filtration, infiltration and waste removal.  Lifespan estimate: 15 years; PRE of 30-80%
  
• Relocate feeding site within pasture/winterfeeding (non-confined feeding):  Move feeding site that is in a pasture farther from a stream, waterway or body of water to increase the filtration, infiltration and waste removal (eg. move large round bale feeders farther from stream).  Adopt methods of unrolling or distributing hay throughout pasture to reduce accumulation of waste.  Lifespan estimate: 15 years; PRE of 30-80%
  
• Off-stream watering system:  Install an alternative watering system so livestock do not enter stream or body of water to drink.  Lifespan estimate: 10-20- years; a PRE of 40-98% (greatest phosphorous reduction is achieved by restricting access to water bodies).
  
• Rotational grazing:  A grass management program that uses several pastures providing for one paddock or pasture to be grazed while all others are rested.  Rotational grazing improves grass health and management, improves grazing distribution which widely distributes waste, increasing filtration and waste removal.  Lifespan estimate: 5 years; PRE of 20-40%.
  
• Fence off stream:  Riparian fences are constructed along streams to limit or restrict access of cattle or other livestock to waterways.  Lifespan estimate: 20 years; PRE of 40-98%.
  
• Stream crossing(s):  A stream crossing provides a hard, stable area where livestock or equipment can cross a stream without damaging the streambed or banks.  Lifespan and PRE varies.  Permit may be required.
  
• Other:  Any management practice not listed above that reduces phosphorous runoff.  Be creative.  Examples may include: lagoon management equipment, shelter belt, land application equipment, etc.  Lifespan and PRE vary by practices.

If you have further questions about the auction or Eagle Creek WRAPS please email me  or call  (620) 340-0113 extension 9, 343-3570, or 341-0240.

Buffers are Big Bang for the Buck

Have you heard the expression before about getting the most “bang for the buck”?  A best management practice (BMP) that most scientists believe would fit this phrase would be grass buffer strips planted adjacent to the stream corridor.  Often times they are called buffer or filter strips and in Kansas are usually planted to native grass. These buffers trap sediment and nutrients, provide wildlife habitat, protect streambanks, and can reduce flooding by acting as a sponge to capture water.  A riparian specialist with the US Army Corps of Engineers has calculated that a 50 foot buffer strip adjacent to a stream can store up to 8 times more water than by trying to farm right up to the edge of a stream.  In addition, the roots of native plants act as glue to hold streambanks together instead of losing your precious soil to the stream. 

In addition to buffer strips, there are a variety of other conservation options available through the USDA Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Most come with extra incentive payments.  Get into your local UDDA office to get more information on how to get a big bang out of a conservation buck.  

Flint Hills Water Log Survey

Flnt Hills Water-Log Survey I'd like to continue receiving the Water-Log Electronically Paper Copy Email Address Mailing Address Do you currently have a conservation plan for your land? Yes No If no, would you be interested in having a plan Yes No I would also like to know more about No-till Grazing management Brush/weed control Wildlife habitat improvement Riparian/stream management Conservation programs other Type the characters you see in the picture below

Assess Your Farm and Earn $250

If you have 8 to 10 hours of time why not earn $250?  This is the amount of time it takes to do an environmental assessment of your farming or ranching operation.  Those that have completed the assessment have found the information and knowledge gained to be worth much more than the $250.  Call or e-mail the Flint Hills RC&D for more information at 620-341-0240 or email

*Watershed Scales

A watershed is a common land area that drains to a common point.  I always tell kids when I am teaching about watersheds that a bathtub is like a mini-sized watershed.  When you fill it up and then let it empty it drains to a common point.  Watersheds come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.  Eagle Creek is a watershed that drains into the Neosho River Watershed and John Redmond Lake Watershed.  The Neosho River is a part of the larger Arkansas River Watershed, which is a part f the larger Mississippi River Watershed. What where does the runoff go?  

Keep It Covered

An old practice that is having a renaissance is the use of cover crops.  Cover crops were used by the Romans and Ancient Greeks as green manures, along with animal manures, to improve soil fertility. Before the advent of commercial chemical fertilizer and pesticides in the U.S. cover crops were commonly used when farms were more diversified with livestock.  Today cover crops are taking the practice of keeping the soil covered a step further than even no-till has.  Some ardent no-tillers are adopting the incorporation of cover corps into their no-till systems.
In addition to keeping the soil covered cover crops can provide multiple benefits.  These benefits include: improved organic matter and soil structure, nutrient enhancement, weed suppression, increased water infiltration, reduced soil loss, and production of an alternative crop.  According to research at Purdue University, fields with a winter cover crop that were used as a green manure crop in the spring had 55% less water runoff and 50% less soil loss than fields without a winter cover (Kansas Rural Center, 1998).  

There are numerous plants that can be used as a cover crop and include: clovers; cow peas; Hairy Vetch; soybeans, annual rye; wheat; oats; triticale; millet; black medic; and a host of others.  

Cover crops just make good agronomic sense.  The fallow period between cash crops could be a lost opportunity.  If a cover crop is not planted weeds are going to grow anyway. For the cost of using a herbicide why not try and take advantage of growing something during that period that will offer numerous benefits?  Whether you are a conventional tiller, no-tiller, strip-tiller, or organic farmer, cover crops will offer benefits.   Whatever road you travel, remember to “Keep It Covered”.  

Cover Crop Workshop March 9th

For those innovative progressive farmers there is a Cover Crop Workshop planned for Wednesday March 9th in Emporia.  The workshop will be held at the East Side Christian Church east of Emporia.  Several nationally renowned experts in the field of soil science will be teaching.  Cost for the workshop will be $20 and will include lunch. You can RSVP by contacting the Flint Hills RC&D office at 620-343-3570 or email Paul Ingle.

Financial assistance for newsletter has been provided through an EPA Section-319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Grant administered through a grant agreement with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.    USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider.