Great Lakes Restoration Initiative in Wisconsin

NRCS, along with 11 other Federal agencies, are supporting and participating in the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI).  The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is the largest investment in the Great Lakes in two decades.  A task force of 11 federal agencies developed an action plan to implement the initiative.  This action plan covers fiscal years 2010 through 2014 and addresses urgent issues such as cleaning up toxics and areas of concern; combating invasive species; promoting nearshore health by protecting watersheds from polluted run-off; restoring wetlands; and tracking progress and working with strategic partners. 

As a component of the GLRI Action Plan, NRCS is helping landowners and land users to plan and implement activities to improve and protect the natural resources in locally identified watersheds within the eight GLRI states:  Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.   

Through GLRI, NRCS is anticipating to offer financial assistance in 2013 to agricultural producers for implementing practices that improve water quality in selected watersheds. Financial assistance will come through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and will focus on reducing nutrient and sediment delivery to surface water as well as activities related to controlling invasive species and restoring wetland and other critical habitats.

The program provides payments to help implement designated conservation activities. Specified EQIP practices will be eligible for funding through GLRI. Socially disadvantaged farmers, limited resource farmers, and beginning farmers may qualify for higher program payments.
 

Applications for GLRI-EQIP Financial Assistance are Accepted on a Continuous Year-Round Basis

APPLY NOW!

To apply, please contact your local NRCS Service Center.

Wisconsin Priority Watersheds Technical assistance is currently available to producers located in the Lower Fox, Manitowoc-Sheboygan, and Milwaukee watersheds to assist with conservation planning needs.  Financial assistance through EQIP is anticipated to be available in 2013 for implementation of select conservation practices. Wisconsin GLRI Priority Watersheds Map (PDF, 225 KB)

Lower Fox River Phosphorus Reduction Priority Watersheds Technical assistance is currently available to producers located in the Apple Creek, Bower Creek, Garners Creek–Fox River, Kankapot Creek, Lower East River, Middle Duck Creek, Plum Creek,  Upper Duck Creek, and Upper East River watersheds to assist with conservation planning needs.    Financial assistance through EQIP is anticipated to be available in 2013 for implementation of select conservation practices which address phosphorus runoff concerns. Wisconsin Priority Phosphorus Watersheds Map (PDF, 249 KB)

EQIP Application Form

Wisconsin GLRI Report for FY2012 (1MB,pdf) Feb 2013

Wisconsin GLRI Report for FY2011  (2MB, pdf)

National NRCS GLRI Website

For additional information, contact Eric Allness at eric.allness@wi.usda.gov, Wisconsin GLRI Program Coordinator, 608-662-4422 ext. 246; or  Lori Van Hulle at lori.vanhulle@wi.usda.gov, Wisconsin GLRI Outreach Coordinator, 608-662-4422 ext. 221

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