FY11 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) -
Utah
About the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) was reauthorized in the
Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Farm Bill) to provide a
voluntary conservation program for farmers and ranchers that promotes
agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible national goals.
EQIP offers financial and technical help to assist eligible participants install
or implement structural and management practices on eligible agricultural land.
Additional information about this environmental improvement program can be found
on the NRCS National Website.
For application assistance and sign up deadlines please contact your
local NRCS office.
EQIP Signup Opportunities in Utah
Those who are interested in EQIP should work with the local NRCS office to
identify and plan the conservation measures you want on your land. Those who
have previously developed a conservation plan with NRCS will already have the
conservation planning step completed. Those who consider applying for EQIP for
the first time should schedule a meeting with NRCS to discuss their options and
develop a conservation plan before moving forward.
Local NRCS conservationists will help you develop a conservation plan,
identify conservation measures and pursue funding through one of the EQIP signup
options available in Utah.
2011 Seasonal High Tunnels for Food and Other Specialty Crop
Production
Natural resource benefits from using tunnel structures may include:
improved plant quality, improved soil quality, and improved water
quality through methods such as reduced nutrient and pesticide
transport. During the pilot period, eligible agricultural producers may
apply for EQIP financial assistance for high tunnels, but only for
manufactured tunnels covering up to 2,178 square feet (approximately 30
ft x 72 ft) per farming operation. The high tunnel will have an expected
practice life of 4 years.
2011 Sage Grouse Initiative
Utah landowners within several western slope
counties are encouraged to visit with their local NRCS field office and
inquire about developing a conservation plan that when implemented will
help reduce the threats to the Sage Grouse. NRCS will utilize its
Environmental Quality Incentive’s Program (EQIP) and Wildlife Habitat
Incentive’s Program (WHIP) to implement the initiative and although a
conservation plan isn’t required for enrollment, all applications which
include an NRCS approved conservation plan, will receive priority status
for enrollment consideration.
2011 Organic Initiative
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Utah has $1.2
million in fiscal year 2011 set aside to assist organic farming
operations and individuals transitioning to organic farming.
The 2008 Farm Bill highlights the availability of financial and
technical assistance to help producers of all commodities meet their
conservation goals, including producers transitioning to organic farming
and currently certified organic producers. The assistance from the
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through the EQIP program
helps producers plan and implement conservation practices to allow their
organic operations to be environmentally sustainable. EQIP is primarily
used to provide financial and technical assistance to implement
conservation practices to address soil, water, air, plant, animal, and
energy resources. A new organic provision targets organic producers and
producers transitioning to organic production:
- Assistance is for conservation practices related to organic
production
- Assistance is limited to $20,000 per year and $80,000 during a
six year period
- Producers are required to develop and carry out an Organic
System Plan (OSP) or carry out practices consistent with an OSP
- Producers must be pursing an organic certification or in
compliance with their organic certification
2011 Conservation Innovation
Grants
Utah will not be offering the CIG component of EQIP this Fiscal Year. CIG is a voluntary program intended to stimulate
the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and
technologies while leveraging Federal investment in environmental
enhancement and protection, in conjunction with agricultural production.
Under CIG, Environmental Quality Incentives Program funds are used to
award competitive grants to non-Federal governmental or non-governmental
organizations, Tribes, or individuals.
2011 Air Quality Initiative
Utah Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is assisting
agricultural producers with reducing ozone precursors [oxides of
nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC)] emissions from
agricultural sources. The primary goal is to achieve and maintain the
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) within the designated
nonattainment areas of Utah.
The NRCS is providing payments for participants implementing
conservation practices on their lands that benefit air quality. The
priority is to reduce airborne particulates by removing existing, high polluting
combustion systems and replacing with new, cleaner technologies phrase
and by improving cropping and tillage systems. Funding
for this initiative is provided through the Environmental Quality
Incentives Program.
2011 Energy Initiative
Conservation funding for energy-related conservation activities is available
to producers in Utah. Financial and technical assistance is available through
the On-Farm Energy Audit/Implementation Initiative under the Environmental
Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
EQIP Funding Selection and Priorities
Priorities for EQIP funding are established with input from Utah’s strong
conservation partnership based on locally identified natural resource needs
consistent with state and national EQIP priorities. Local Work Groups convened
by local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) provide advice to NRCS
about natural resource issues and priorities within their counties. EQIP
applications are evaluated based on these county priorities and are then
prioritized for funding. Applications that best address natural resources as
described in the ranking criteria are prioritized for funding.
Some funds are distributed via “state fund pools” to address animal waste, air
quality, wildlife issues, etc. Funds are also distributed to counties, to
address resource concerns on Pasture and Rangeland, Dry Cropland/Hayland,
Irrigated Cropland/Hayland, Riparian areas, and non-industrial private
forestland.
Click here for the 2011 State Fund
Pools
Click here for 2011 Local Fund Pools
Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
The following documents require
Adobe Acrobat.
Fact Sheet (PDF, 1 MB)
If your business or organization plans to apply for conservation program or
grant funding through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), or
another federal agency, you may need to request an identification number through
the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS).
Obtaining a DUNS number is free for all entities doing business with the
federal government. This includes grant and cooperative agreement applicants and
prospective applicants and federal contractors. The process to request a DUNS
number takes about 5 to 10 minutes. Telephone Instructions: Contact D&B
through their toll-free phone number at: 1-866-705-5711. On the web:
http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do
For More Information
NRCS National EQIP
Website
Contact
Tim Julander, Program Specialist
Phone: 801-524-4561
Email: tim.julander@ut.usda.gov
Pedro Ramos, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs
Phone: 801-524-4552
Email: pedro.ramos@ut.usda.gov
Archived EQIP Information
Last Modified:
08/30/2011
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