California Environmental Quality Incentives Program Sign Up Now Underway

Contacts:
Anita Brown (530) 792-5644
Alan Forkey (530) 792-5653

DAVIS, Calif., August 27, 2007—Conservation cost share applications for the popular Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) are being accepted now through November 2, 2007, at USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offices throughout California. The program provides financial and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers interested in making voluntary improvements to natural resources on land they own or manage.

"The EQIP program has been a huge help for California's agricultural producers who are trying to balance their desire to do the right thing for the environment with the reality of fiscal constraints," says NRCS State Conservationist Ed Burton. "EQIP can supply a critical link between having the desire to do more for water, air and wildlife and being able to do more for these resources." Burton also stresses the importance of having a conservation plan when applying for EQIP. "A conservation plan—which NRCS staff can assist with—helps growers assess the needs of the resources and schedule the best remedies on a timetable that makes sense for the landowner and for the land."

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a broad-ranging program that shares the cost related to improvements in soil, water, air, range and wildlife habitat on farms and ranches. It can help in implementing water conservation, integrated pest management, nutrient management, air quality improvements, rangeland management, manure management and more. Assistance can be in the form of structures and conservation "hardware" such as irrigation or manure management facilities as well as incentives payments for proper management to achieve environmental benefits. In 2007 California approved 1,190 EQIP contracts on over 447,000 acres for almost $48 million.

Applications are ranked based on scores reflecting their environmental benefit to national, statewide and locally identified resource priorities as well as a cost efficiency calculation. California statewide priorities for EQIP funding in 2008 include air quality, wildlife habitat and water quality needs related to confined animal feeding operations. A more detailed explanation of local goals and ranking processes can be found at www.ca.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/.

All eligibility forms must be submitted or updated before applications can be ranked or approved. Required forms may also include CPA-1202, appendix, power of attorney if applicable, HEL-wetland certifications and others listed on the site referenced above. Applicants are encouraged to begin the process early to avoid unforeseen delays and assure their application can be considered for funding this year.

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