Arkansas 2008 State EQIP Sign-Up and Application Information

Environmental Quality Incentives Program Sign-ups for 2008 -- SIGN UP PERIOD CLOSED OCT. 19, 2007

General Program Description

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program process in Arkansas was derived from a local led and partners effort. With the help of partners and locally led groups the Natural Resources Conservation Service identified eight funding categories. They are described in more detail on the attached sheets. EQIP will also give additional attention to groundwater decline problems, and increased assistance for forestry landowners.

Applications for EQIP are taken at a local USDA Field Service Center. The 2008 sign up period closed Oct. 19, 2007.  NRCS, with the assistance from the farmer/rancher, will determine individual environmental ranking points.

Once the above process is completed, all ranked applications will be entered into Protracts at the local offices.  The NRCS State Office will then select applications for funding according to procedures described on this site. Anyone selected for funding will need to work closely with NRCS to develop a plan within strict time frames that will be provided upon notice of selection.

Program Development

Rules for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program from the 2002 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act were incorporated into the Arkansas program in 2008. This process began in August 2002 by requesting all Conservation Districts to hold meetings at the local level. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) was interested in hearing what producers and other’s had to say about environmental concerns in their area and other program issues. 

Primary Issues Addressed by EQIP

EQIP continues to address those primary resource concerns that were identified by locally led groups.  These are:

• Water Quality, animal waste;
• Water Quality, sediment, including erosion control;
• Water Quantity, irrigation (especially groundwater decline) ;
• Soil Quality, erosion:
• Plant Health, forests:
• Water Quality, forests:
• Plant Health, grazing land:
• Wildlife Habitat concerns:

Specific information on 2008 application screenings, ranking, and policies specific to Arkansas can be found through the following links.