Ground and Surface Water Conservation_ Environmental Quality Incentives Program
This program provides assistance to farmers and ranchers in complying with Federal, State,
The purpose of this program is achieved through the implementation of structural and land management conservation practices on eligible land.
This program is funded through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC).
NRCS provides overall program administration and management.
Established in 1862, the Department of Agriculture serves all Americans through anti-hunger efforts, stewardship of nearly 200 million acres of national forest and rangelands, and through product safety and conservation efforts. The USDA opens markets for American farmers and ranchers and provides food for needy people around the world.
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For a list of NRCS State offices with telephone numbers and addresses, see appropriate Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Information is available on the internet at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip.
Program Accomplishments
Thirty-two states located in the High Plains Aquifer, or areas severely impacted by drought (according to the USDA Drought Monitor), or in areas with extensive agricultural water needs were targeted for achieving a net savings in water consumption on agricultural lands. In FY 2006, producers entered into 2,023 Ground and Surface Water contracts on nearly 382,600 acres to improve irrigation and water use efficiency on currently irrigated cropland.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Technical assistance is provided for conservation planning, design and implementation of conservation practices for eligible participants.
Financial assistance is provided for implementation of structural and land management practices.
Cost-share payments may be made to implement one or more eligible structural practices.
Incentive payments can be made to implement one or more land management practices.
The funding available is for technical assistance, cost-share payments and incentive payments that will assist participants achieve a net-water savings on their agricultural land.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Agricultural producers who are addressing water conservation natural resource issues.
A participant may be an owner, landlord, operator, or tenant of eligible agricultural lands.
Limited resource producers, small-scale producers, producers of minority groups, Federally recognized Indian tribal governments, Alaska natives, and Pacific Islanders are encouraged to apply.
Program may not be available in all States.
Beneficiary Eligibility
To be eligible the agricultural producers must be in compliance with highly erodible land and wetland conservation provisions and in compliance with the Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) payment limitations.
Credentials/Documentation
Evidence that applicant has control over land to be entered into contract and submits an acceptable conservation plan for the farm or ranch unit of concern that incorporates needed natural resource conservation practices and provide either a social security number or individual tax identification number of all proposed beneficiaries. Applicants claiming either limited resource producer or beginning farmer classification may be asked to provide documents to justify their claim. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None.
This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No.
A-102 and E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
Program participation is voluntary. The applicant applies at the local USDA Service Center on Form NRCS-CPA--1200. Applications may be filed at any time during the year. The participant develops an EQIP plan of operations that identifies what conservation practices they are proposing to implement. Technical assistance and cost-share or incentive payments may be provided to apply needed conservation practices and land use adjustments within a time schedule specified by the EQIP plan of operations. A contract with a participant may apply one or more land management practices or one or more structural practices.
Award Procedures
NRCS will give special consideration to applicants that address priority natural resource concerns designated. Applications will be periodically ranked and selected for funding based on a State or locally developed ranking process. These criteria can be found at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/.
Deadlines
None.
Authorization
The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (the 2002 Act), (Public Law 107-171, May 13, 2002) re-authorized and amended the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, which had been added to the Food Security Act of 1985 (the 1985 Act), (16 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.) by the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (the 1996 Act), Public Law 104-127.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
From 10 to 60 days.
Appeals
A participant may appeal any adverse determination to the FSA county committee.
Renewals
Not applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Conservation practices may be eligible for cost-sharing up to 75 percent of the total cost of establishing the practice. Incentive payments can be made for land management practices in an amount and rate that NRCS determines is necessary to encourage a participant to perform the practice that would not otherwise be initiated without government assistance. Limited resource producers and beginning farmers may be eligible for cost-sharing up to 90 percent.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
A 2002 Farm Bill EQIP contract expires one year after the last planned practice is implemented but cannot be longer than 10 years. Obligations for assistance are tied to the schedule for applying conservation practices included in the EQIP plan of operations used as the basis for the contract. Payments are made when the participant and NRCS certify that conservation practice is completed in accordance with NRCS standards and specifications. Technical assistance may be provided by a certified Technical Service Provider (TSP). The participant may not engage a TSP for technical services prior to contract approval. This assistance will be reimbursed based upon not-to-exceed rates. These payments will be made after the services of the certified TSP have been provided in accordance with NRCS standards and specifications.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
There are no reports.
The designated Conservationist reviews contract administration annually during the length of the contract for installation of practices scheduled and maintenance of completed contract items.
Participants must operate and maintain a conservation practice for its intended purpose for the life span of the practice.
Audits
Natural Resources Conservation Service makes periodic random reviews of the operation and maintenance of the contract items during the life span of the conservation practice. Participants are subject to audit by the Office of Inspector General, USDA.
Records
Maintained in local NRCS office and Federal record centers for specified number of years.
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-4336-0-1-302.
Obigations
(Grants) FY 07 $51,000,000; FY 08 $0; and FY 09 est not reported. (Salaries and Expenses) FY 07 $19,093,000; FY 08 $0; and FY 09 est not reported.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
An individual or entity may not receive, directly or indirectly, cost-share or incentive payments under this chapter that, in the aggregate, exceed $450,000 for all contracts entered into under this chapter by the individual or entity during the period of fiscal years 2002 through 2007, regardless of the number of contracts entered into under this chapter by the individual or entity.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
7 CFR Part 1466. Program is announced through news media and in announcements to agricultural producers, farm and ranch owners and operators in the county. Program manuals, handbooks, and leaflets issued by NRCS.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
For more information on this and other related conservation programs, consult the local telephone directory where your land is located for location of the USDA service center. . For a list of NRCS State offices with telephone numbers and addresses, see appropriate Appendix IV of the Catalog. Information is available on the internet at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip.
Headquarters Office
John Dondero, Branch Chief - Environmental Improvement Programs, Financial Assistance Programs Division, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 2890, Washington, DC 20013. Telephone: (202) 720-1986. FAX: (202) 720-4265.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Applications will be periodically ranked and selected for funding based on: the environmental benefits; the cost-effectiveness of the conversation practices; the environmental benefits derived; extent to which the contract will assist the applicant in complying with Federal, State, tribal or local environmental laws; and the extent the contract will assist the priority natural resource goals and objectives and achieve a net water savings.
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