2007 EQIP Application Information

For the 2007 fiscal year, EQIP cost-sharing for conservation practices will be offered five different ways:

1. on a county-by-county basis,
2. a state pool for animal feeding operations (AFO) and confined animal feeding operations (CAFO),
3. a state pool for tribal lands,
4. a state pool for special initiatives to address specific natural resource concerns, and
5. a state pool for the Ground and Surface Water provisions of EQIP.

2007 County EQIP Information

For the county allocation, each county determines its own funding guidelines for issuing 2007 EQIP allocations and adds ranking criteria points appropriate to local priorities. Counties were given the option for using one or more of the following landuse funding categories: grazingland, dry cropland, irrigated land, forestland, and multiple landuses. For more information please visit the 2007 County EQIP Information page.

2007 AFO/CAFO Information

All applications that address Animal Feeding Operations (AFO)/Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) are submitted to the NRCS state office for funding consideration. Montana will be setting aside 10 percent of its state allocation for these contracts. These applications will be due to the NRCS state office by a designated date. For more information please visit the 2007 EQIP AFO/CAFO Information page.

2007 EQIP Tribal Allocation Information

In Montana, 10% of the state’s EQIP allocation is set aside as an allocation for American Indian lands.  The Tribal Conservation Issues Subcommittee of the Montana State Technical Advisory Committee provided recommendations on the eligibility for these funds which include the following criteria: 

1. Funds set aside for American Indians are available to Indian and non-Indian operators, alike, on individually owned trust lands and tribal trust lands (as defined in 25 CFR 166.1) and/or tribal owned fee lands. 
2. Set aside funds are to be used primarily on Indian land on reservations.  Any American Indian outside of a reservation interested in receiving funds earmarked for American Indians must make a request to the State Conservationist to apply for these funds.

For more information please visit the 2007 EQIP Tribal Allocation Information page.

2007 EQIP Special Initiatives

In 2007, Montana will set aside 20% of the funding allocation to addressing priority natural resource concerns as they arise during the year. Potential initiatives in 2007 include, but are not limited to; soil quality improvement, noxious weed management, arctic grayling protection, other species specific concerns, and more. For more information please visit the 2007 EQIP Special Initiatives Information page.

2007 EQIP Ground & Surface Water Information

A component of EQIP is the Ground and Surface Water provision. Contracts awarded with these funds must provide a net increase in ground or surface water. These funds compete on a statewide basis and utilize a special ranking criteria. All applications are sent to the NRCS state office by a designated date. For more information please visit the 2007 EQIP Ground & Surface Water Information page.

2007 EQIP Ranking Documents

All ranking information is provided to the public for reference only. The only persons who have received training and other guidance on interpreting and using the ranking criteria and how they relate to program policies are NRCS employees. Therefore, the only persons approved to rank any applications are NRCS employees. NRCS will make the final decision regarding all ranking criteria interpretations. For more information please contact your local NRCS office.

Contacts

Carrie Mosley, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs
Phone: 406-587-6967
Email: Carrie.Mosley

Last Modified: 07/28/2008