LINCOLN COUNTY EQIP PROGRAM

How EQIP is being implemented in the county:

The Lincoln County Local Work Group has identified the following natural resource concerns as priorities for 2009:

These local priorities support state & national priorities to reduce non-point source pollutants, reduce soil erosion, control invasive species, conserve ground and surface water, etc.    The county allocation will be divided among the various priorities according to a target percentage, but will vary depending on the number of eligible applications received in each category.

1. Water Quality

The current focus is aimed at reducing fecal coliform bacteria (including e-coli) in surface water.  Waste management systems, feedlot relocation, nutrient management, grazing management, riparian fencing, and off-stream water development will be targeted in an effort to help livestock producers avoid regulation and improve water quality.

2. Vegetation Health and Pest Management

Plant health is a concern on rangeland, forest, pasture, and cropland.  These land uses can be improved thru better grazing systems, forest health projects, and weed control & other pest management.    Eligible applications may include dependable water developments, fencing to increase number of pastures, wildfire risk reduction or thinning of forest stand, weed control, or brucellosis risk reduction.   

3. Water Conservation / Efficiency

Improved irrigation systems with higher irrigation efficiencies are eligible under this priority. Upgrading from flood irrigation to a high efficiency sprinkler system will receive the highest ranking. Improving an existing sprinkler system may be funded after all other high priority applications are funded. Applications to replace a delivery system are low priories and will not be ranked. Proper irrigation scheduling and management will be critical when developing irrigation systems.

4. Soil Loss

Eligible applications include replacement of failing irrigation diversion structures with active erosion.   Higher points will be given for projects that include provisions for fish passage or screening, as needed.

Secondary priorities

1.  Wildlife:  Habitat or Migration

Applications for this type of project will be forwarded to the state office for consideration under other programs first.   Unfunded applications will be considered after all other priority projects are funded.

Eligible Practices and Payment Rates:

Eligible practices and payment rates are listed in the Wyoming payment schedule.   Some rates or practices are only available in specific situations.

Application and Ranking Procedures:

Lincoln County uses a supplemental application form to evaluate each signup received. The form requests information about the type of practice that the agriculture producer wants to install and the resource concerns that are being addressed. All applicants will be given a priority based upon information given when filling out the form.

Multiple ranking worksheets have been developed to evaluate the local resource concerns. The ranking process assigns points based on the type and number of practices being installed, the environmental benefits of those conservation practices, and the selected management practices. Projects will be ranked by score.  The highest scoring applications will be offered funding first. Contracts will be awarded until the allocation for Lincoln County is expended.  Low priority applications may not be ranked or funded.

Fund Pools:

The Lincoln County Local Work Group has set the following guidelines for allocation of the EQIP funds:  payment caps may apply to specific practices or funds.   Weed management may be added to any contract from any fund.  

1. Agriculture Waste Management Systems – will be ranked and funded from a statewide pool.

2. Water Quality Related Projects – may be funded in the county up to 20 percent of the total allocation for Lincoln County. Additional funds may be available for water quality projects that specifically support the Salt River Watershed Plan in Star Valley.

3. Vegetation Health and Pest Management – range & pasture projects may be funded up to 25 percent of the allocation for Lincoln County.  Forestry projects will be sent to the statewide pool for consideration.    Up to 25% may be used for brucellosis risk reduction.

4. Water Conservation / Efficiency – Irrigation system improvements may be funded up to 20 percent of the total allocation for Lincoln County.

5. Soil Loss - soil erosion and sedimentation – irrigation water diversion or headgate structures to be replaced must have active erosion to qualify.   Approximately 10% of the county allocation will be set aside for these projects.

These documents require Adobe Reader to view the material.

Lincoln County Application Screening Tool (PDF, 112 KB)

Lincoln County Vegetation Management (PDF, 8 KB)

Lincoln County Soil Loss (PDF, 7 KB)

Lincoln County Water Efficiency (PDF, 9 KB)

Lincoln County Water Quality (PDF, 9 KB)

Contact one of the local offices: Afton     Cokeville