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NRCS Rolls Out EQIP Self Assessment Tool and Announces Funding and Cutoff Date

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has added a new self-assessment tool to be filled out when applying for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 funding.  Kansas has received its FY-2005 EQIP funding allocation of nearly $22 million and has announced the cutoff date of January 21, 2005, for applications to be considered for FY-2005 funding.

Information about 2005 EQIP and the self-assessment tool are available at local NRCS field offices or on the Kansas NRCS web site.

New EQIP Self-Assessment Tool

When producers apply for 2005 EQIP funding, they will be required to fill out the new Kansas EQIP Self-Assessment Tool.

"Producers interested in applying for EQIP will be filling out a self-assessment tool this year," said Harold L. Klaege, state conservationist for the NRCS.  "So, if they plan to apply, they should start the process very soon if they haven’t done so already."

"We have developed a self-assessment tool to use in the EQIP application process," explained Klaege.  "After we used a self-assessment tool during the Conservation Security Program signup this past summer, it seemed only natural to develop one to use with EQIP."

"The self-assessment tool is an educational tool," he explained, "providing landowners with a clear indication of what natural resource concerns they have, what they can accomplish, and what they need to do to qualify for the program."

The self-assessment tool booklet asks questions about grazed range/pasture, livestock waste, cropland, streambank, and forestland.  Producers will answer questions that apply to their operation.

"We see this self-assessment as a time-saving and money-saving tool," said Klaege.  "We envision that the self-assessment will cut down on the time it takes NRCS to process applications for EQIP and that it will also reduce the federal dollars required to administer the program and make more dollars available for producers."

"EQIP is valuable in helping our state’s agricultural producers meet the significant environmental regulations they face while continuing to be good stewards of the land. EQIP helps them implement conservation practices that improve and protect our natural resources," said Klaege.

EQIP Funding Allocation

The Kansas EQIP funding allocation for FY-2005 is nearly $22 million.  In FY-2004, Kansas received over $22 million and 1,823 contracts were funded.  More than 3,200 applications were received that totaled over $32 million.

In Kansas, EQIP funds will help farmers and ranchers install conservation practices that improve and protect Kansas’ priority natural resource concerns.

"The objective of EQIP is to address natural resource concerns through the application of improved conservation systems.  EQIP is an environmental enhancement program," said Klaege.

EQIP—one of the largest programs in the 2002 Farm Bill—is a voluntary conservation program that promotes environmental quality and assists producers to meet local, state, and federal regulations.

Kansas Identifies Priority Natural Resource Concerns

The FY-2005 Kansas EQIP eligible priority natural resource concerns are as follows:

  • Air Quality—Objectionable Odors
  • Forestland Health—Productivity, Health, Vigor
  • Grazing Lands Health—Productivity, Health, Vigor and Noxious or Invasive Weeds
  • Sedimentation of Federal Reservoirs—Soil Erosion--Streambank; Water Quality--Excessive Suspended Sediment and Turbidity in Surface Water
  • Soil Quality—Organic Matter Depletion
  • Water Quality—Concentrated, Non-confined Animal Waste
  • Water Quality—Confined Animal Waste
  • Water Quality—Nutrients/Pesticides/Suspended Sediment
  • Water Quantity—Inefficient Water Use on Irrigated Land; Aquifer Overdraft

Ground and Surface Water Conservation Available Statewide

Producers across the state may apply for assistance through the ground and surface water conservation provisions of EQIP.  Assistance to a producer will be provided only to facilitate a conservation measure that results in net savings in ground or surface water resources in the agricultural operation of the producer.

Conservation systems will be installed to promote ground and surface water conservation by improving irrigation systems, enhancing irrigation efficiencies, converting to the production of less water intensive cropping systems, or improving water storage.

Cutoff Date Set to Evaluate EQIP Applications

"We have now set a date of January 21, 2005, as a cutoff date to begin evaluation of applications received by NRCS in Kansas.  These applications will be considered for the FY 2005 funding allocation we receive for Kansas," explained Klaege.

Agricultural producers interested in participating in EQIP can apply at any time at their local NRCS office or USDA Service Center.  NRCS will evaluate each application and give higher priority to those applications that use cost-effective conservation practices; treat multiple resource concerns; address national, state, or local priorities; and provide the most environmental benefits.

Apply at Local NRCS Office

Information about 2005 EQIP is available on the Kansas NRCS Web site or is available at your local USDA Service Center from the NRCS or conservation district staff.  This will include the Kansas EQIP Self-Assessment Tool, fact sheets, an application form, a list of eligible practices and average costs, and specifics on Kansas’ ranking process, including criteria used to evaluate applications.

FY-2005 application information for each state is also available at the NRCS national Web site.