Natural Resources Conservation Service Accepting Applications for Outlet Larkin Creek - Mississippi River Basin Initiative Project through August 1, 2010

Little Rock, Ark., July 9, 2010 – Farmers and landowners in portions of Lee and St. Francis counties in Arkansas have until August 1, 2010, to submit applications to receive cost-share assistance to implement conservation practices through the Outlet Larkin Creek - Mississippi River Basin Initiative (MRBI) project.

The Outlet Larkin Creek - MRBI project is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers for addressing water quality concerns in the Outlet Larkin Creek watershed.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in partnership with the St. Francis County and Lee County Conservation Districts has received $224,000 in fiscal year 2010 funding for the initiative.

“The partners will work in one sub-watershed of the L’Anguille River basin to reduce sediment and nutrients entering the river.  The L’Anguille River has been designated as an impaired watershed by the Environmental Protection Agency due to excessive siltation and turbidity from agricultural sources,” said Mike Sullivan, NRCS state conservationist. 

Funding will be available to eligible landowners through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).  NRCS will provide cost-share for a variety of conservation practices for the purpose of managing runoff from agricultural fields and ensuring proper application of nutrients and irrigation water.  Cropland, forestland and pasture/hayland, are eligible for the initiative.  Land and producer eligibility, adjusted gross income, and all other program criteria for participation in EQIP must be met by participants in this initiative.

Applications may be obtained and filed with the Natural Resources Conservation Service at:

• Lee County  
  Marianna Field Service Center
  30 South Poplar
  Marianna, AR 72360
  (870) 295-5211, ext. 3    
                                  

• St. Francis County
  Forrest City Field Service Center
  4401 N. Washington, Suite A
  Forrest City, AR 72335
  (870) 633-3055, ext. 3

Under the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative, NRCS will provide technical assistance and a total of $30 million of financial assistance during federal fiscal year 2010 for 76 projects in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

“The six projects selected in Arkansas will be implemented working with our conservation partners to accelerate conservation treatment to improve water quality, maintain productivity and enhance wildlife habitat,” Sullivan said.  “Additional funding for the six Arkansas projects could exceed $30 million over the 5-year project’s life.”

For more information about MRBI, the Outlet Larkin Creek project and a project area map, contact one of the above offices or visit the NRCS Arkansas Web site at: www.ar.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/mrbi.html.