Department for Natural Resources
Kentucky Landowners Awarded $8.5 Million in Cost-Share Assistance

Governor Steve Beshear announced today that the Kentucky Division of Conservation and the Soil and Water Conservation Commission is awarding $8.5 million in cost-share assistance to 1,015 recipients in 110 counties for the 2010-2011 program year.

Gov. Beshear said that Kentucky landowners will use the cost-share award to implement best management practices that address water quality and soil erosion.

“These dollars will help Kentucky’s farmers protect our soil and our water supplies by using proven best methods in their agricultural operations,” said Gov. Beshear. “Those include animal waste utilization, vegetative filter strips, rotation grazing and fallen animal composting.”

The program received 2,518 applications, requesting $18.3 million in financial assistance.

The Kentucky Soil Erosion and Water Quality Cost Share program began in 1994. Since then, $113 million has gone to assist landowners in Kentucky. The program funding comes from the Tobacco Settlement Agreement and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

State cost-share signups are continuing at all county conservation district offices through the end of February. To locate your local office, visit the Division of Conservation website: http://conservation.ky.gov/Pages/ConservationDistricts.aspx.

“Kentucky landowners have come to rely on the Soil Erosion and Water Quality Cost Share program to help address environmental concerns on their land,” said Carl Campbell, commissioner of DNR.   “We are very proud of the success of this program.”