UNDERSTANDING THE EQIP PROCESS

By Ruben Vasquez

 

 

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary program that provides technical and cost-share assistance to ranchers and farmers, to address soil, water, air, plant and related natural resources concerns on their land. Through EQIP, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides assistance to agricultural producers in a manner that will promote agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible goals.  EQIP is available in all 50 states, and agricultural producers can apply on continuous bases.   However, each fall, a batching period is set to review and rank applications for possible acceptance into EQIP.   Applications must be received prior to October 1 to be considered for fiscal year funding.  EQIP Applications received after the October 1 will be kept on file for future review and ranking.

 

Producers interested in applying for EQIP should visit the NRCS field office to discuss their proposed project.  NRCS will schedule a field visit to evaluate the project as well discuss conservation practices to address the natural resource concern or problem.   Working with NRCS staff prior to the batching period deadline allows evaluation of the project, as well as NRCS staff to develop a preliminary plan and/or design to estimate the practices and unit amounts (i.e. pipeline, fence, excavation footage, etc.) needed to treat the resource concern. Once a preliminary plan is developed, the plan is then ranked and submitted for possible technical and financial assistance through EQIP.   The EQIP ranking process is based on National and State guidelines, and local priorities, as identified through the county Local Work Group. Once the producer’s application is ranked and accepted into EQIP, the participant enters into a contractual agreement and conservation plan that can range from 1 year, after the last cost-share item is installed, not to exceed 10 years.  The contract participant with NRCS assistance, schedule agreed conservation practices through the contract period, based on the producer’s management and financial resources.  A requirement of EQIP is that a cost-share practice must be installed with in the first 12 months of the contract approval date.

 

To be eligible for EQIP, producers or entities must be engaged in agricultural or livestock production.  There are, however, certain situations that may limit an individual or entities participation in EQIP and will be determined at the time of applying or shortly after an application is made. Federal and State governments are not eligible. Eligible land must produce an agricultural commodity or livestock.  Cropland, rangeland, pasture or hayland, and private, non-industrial forestland are eligible for EQIP.

 

Conservation practices that address the resource problem or concern must meet NRCS specifications to be eligible for cost-share. Cost-share assistance is based on a flat rate cost to install the practice (i.e. cost/foot, cost/yard, etc).  Cost to install a given practice is evaluated and adjusted each year. Conservation practices can include livestock pipelines, livestock watering facilities water control structures, fencing, moving corrals away from water sources, filter strips, irrigation pipelines.  For more information on EQIP, please contact the Natural Resource Conservation Service or the Laramie Rivers Conservation District office at 1050 N 3^rd St., Ph 307-745-3698.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).  To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.