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Kansas 2007 EQIP Application Evaluation Criteria

Statewide evaluation criteria for each concern have been developed and eligible practices identified within each resource concern. Applications will be evaluated by the primary resource concern. The State Conservationist, with recommendations from the Kansas State Technical Committee, established the priority resource concerns to be addressed in Kansas for Fiscal Year 2007.

The use of geo-spatial data and tools enable Kansas NRCS to implement a streamlined process that ensures the optimization of environmental benefits and standardization of application evaluation in EQIP. Geo-spatial data was compiled for the allocation and application process.

For the application process, a tool (AV-EQIP) was constructed to gather information used to determine the amount of environmental benefit gained from each application and track location of applications. This tool is used extensively after funding decisions are made to evaluate program delivery, assess program effectiveness, and analyze before and after impacts of treatment.

Ranking

Applications are ranked through the NRCS Programs Contracts System using three different factors: Efficiency, National Priorities, and State Issues.

The Efficiency section accounts for 30 percent of the application score. Efficiency is scored on the conservation practices to be installed, practice service life, and practice average annual cost.

National Priorities account for 20 percent of the application score. This section scores the application based on its treatment of EQIP national priorities. The five EQIP national priorities are:

Reduction of non-point source pollution, such as nutrients, sediment, pesticides, or excess salinity in impaired watersheds consistent with Total Daily Maximum Loads (TMDLs), where available, as well as the reduction of groundwater contamination and reduction of point sources such as contamination from confined animal feeding operations.
The conservation of ground and surface water resources.
Reduction of emissions, such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides (NOX), volatile organic compounds, and ozone precursors and depleters that contribute to air quality impairment violations of National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
Reduction in soil erosion and sedimentation from unacceptable high levels on agricultural land.
Promotion of at-risk species habitat conservation.

State Issues account for 50 percent of the application score. This section determines the application's benefits to Kansas natural resource priorities, as determined by the State Conservationist based on recommendations by the Kansas Technical Committee.

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Forestland Health