Program Information for New Applications
The Nebraska Buffer Strip Program was implemented in January 1999 through fees assessed
on registered pesticides. Cropland adjacent to perennial and seasonal streams, ponds, and
wetlands can be enrolled in buffer strips, which are designed to filter agrichemicals such as
fertilizers and pesticides. Two kinds of buffer strips are eligible - filter strips, which are narrow
strips of grass; and riparian forest buffer strips containing trees and grass. The minimum widths
are 20 and 55 feet, respectively; the maximum widths are 120 and 180 feet, respectively.
The program is designed to be used in conjunction with the USDA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), or other programs, however it can be used by itself, as well. Rental rates are calculated as follows:
Please refer to the Program Summary for a recent update.
Additional information can be found on the APPLICATION FORM (PDF or EXCEL). Interested landowners should contact their local Natural Resources District or USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service office to begin the application process.
County Totals -
Forested Buffer Acres
County Totals -
Irrigated Acres
The University of Nebraska has developed three informational displays for use at conferences, farmer meetings, workshops, etc. to promote the use of streamside buffer strips. These displays are colorful and eye-catching, are sure to attract attention, and are easy to put together and take down. The only cost is for sending the display on to the next scheduled stop or for returning it to Lincoln. Go to http://conservationbuffers.unl.edu/index.htm and go to "Buffer Publications and Resources" to request a display for your function.
Files in PDF format can be viewed with Adobe Acrobat
Reader.
Nebraska Buffer Strip Act
Nebraska Buffer Strip Regulations
Conservation Buffers - University of Nebraska
Conservation Buffers: Design Guidelines for Buffers, Corridors, and Greenways -
Provides over 80 illustrated design guidelines for water quality, biodiversity, economic
opportunities,
and other benefits. This publication was synthesized and developed from a review of over 1400
research publications.
Conservation Buffers to Reduce Pesticide
Losses (NRCS)
Conservation Technology Information Center
Great Before/After Photos in Iowa (See the
following research article for more information on this project)
National Association of Conservation Districts' Buffer
Notes newsletter
Riparian Forest Buffers (National Agroforestry Center)
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service,
Buffer Strips: Common Sense Conservation
Realizing the Promise of Conservation Buffer Technology. A summary of the
National Conservation Buffer Workshop, June 12-13, 2001, sponsored by the Soil and Water
Conservation Society.
Arbor Day Foundation, Conservation Trees Pamphlet
Association for Temperate Agroforestry
Best Nonpoint Source Documents, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, January 2001
Clean Water 101 - A Primer on Clean Water Policy;
National Corn Growers Association
Conservation Trees for Nebraska. This booklet provides information to
landowners and other interested parties about conservation trees, and contact information for
ordering trees from your local Natural Resources District.
EPA River Corridor and Wetland Restoration
EPA Watershed Academy. Contains
publications, a listing of training sites and schedules, as well as on-line distance learning
modules
for such topics as watershed management and protection, water quality, and wetlands, among
others.
Fact Sheets: Functions and Values of Riparian
Areas
Iowa State University Photo Gallery. A good
collection of photos showing before/after changes, problems and solutions, maintenance issues,
and aerial views of riparian buffers.
NDA Water Resources
Protection. Useful information on and links to more best management practices for soil and
water conservation, soils and soil quality, and minimizing the effects of pesticides on the
environment.
Nebraska
Pesticide and Noxious Weed Newsletter
NRCS Stream Corridor Restoration
NRCS Stream Visual Assessment Protocol.
Intended for use by conservationists working with landowners to assess resource problems, but
can be used by anyone wanting a better understanding of functions of streams, their values, and
how to assess a specific stream reach.
Riparian Areas: Functions and Strategies for Management. A publication of the
National Academy of Sciences evaluating the status of riparian areas, their importance in
regulating water quality, and strategies for management.
Riparian Management Systems - Sustaining Agriculture and Environment. A
slide show outlining affects of runoff and stream modification on the hydrology and function of
streams, and benefits of riparian buffers.
USDA Food and Agricultural Policy "Taking Stock
for the New Century" (Sept. 2001)
USDA Water Quality Information Center. Using
this database you can locate several hundred electronic publications that are freely available on
the Web. This page also contains links to the AGRICOLA (AGRICultural OnLine Access) and
AgNIC (Agriculture Network Information Center) databases, which contain thousands of entries
pertaining to agriculture.
Buffer Strip
Distribution
County Totals -
Total Acres
County Totals -
Contracts