Arkansas 2010 State EQIP Sign-Up and Application Information

NRCS Accepting 2010 EQIP Applications through January 15, 2010

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 2010 sign up period ends Jan. 15, 2010.  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 2008 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act were incorporated into the Arkansas program in 2009.

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 2010 application screenings, ranking, and policies specific to Arkansas can be found through the following links.