Natural Resources Conservation Service Accepting Applications for Point Remove - Mississippi River Basin Initiative Project through August 1, 2010

Little Rock, Ark., July 9, 2010 – Farmers and landowners in portions of Conway, Pope and Yell counties in Arkansas have until August 1, 2010, to submit applications to receive cost-share assistance to implement conservation practices through the Point Remove - Mississippi River Basin Initiative (MRBI) project.

The Point Remove - MRBI project is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers for addressing water quality concerns in the Lake Conway-Point Remove watershed.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in partnership with the Point Remove Wetlands Reclamation and Irrigation District has received $1,025,000 in fiscal year 2010 funding for the initiative.

“This project will focus on avoiding excess application of nutrients and water on fields; controlling the amount of nutrient and water runoff from fields into the watershed; and trapping nutrients before they leave the field,” 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 reducing the amount of nutrient runoff and soil erosion associated with agricultural production.  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:

• Conway County
  Morrilton Field Service Center
  207 E. Shady Lane
  Morrilton, AR 72110
  (501) 354-2000, ext. 3
   

• Pope County
  Russellville Field Service Center
  420 N. Hampton, Suite B
  Russellville, AR 72802
  (479) 968-3881, ext. 3
   

• Yell County
  Danville Field Service Center
  1002 East 8th St.
  Danville, AR 72833
  (479) 495-2441, 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 Point Remove 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.