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Arkansas 2004 State EQIP Sign-Up and Application Information

Environmental Quality Incentives Program Sign-ups for 2005

Environmental Quality Inventives Program: Photo of NRCS District Conservationist and farmerGeneral 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 local USDA Field Service Center. The 2005 sign up period is currently open a closing date has not yet been set. 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 and contract before Sept. 30, 2005. Any contract not approved by this date will lose funding.

Program Development

New rules for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program from the 2002 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act were incorporated into the Arkansas program in 2003. 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.  The program was changed very little for 2005, other than making changes to make funding more equitable around the state and changing the way funds are initially allocated to counties.

Primary Issues Raised at Local Meetings
  • Water Quality, animal waste: mentioned as a problem in 30 out of 75 counties
  • Water Quality, sediment: mentioned as a problem in 35 out of 75 counties (includes erosion control)
  • Water Quantity, irrigation (especially groundwater): mentioned as a problem in 26 out of 75 counties
  • Soil Quality, erosion: mentioned as a problem in 35 out of 75 counties
  • Plant Health, forests: mentioned as a problem in 25 out of 75 counties
  • Water Quality, forests: mentioned as a problem in 22 out of 75 counties
  • Plant Health, grazing land: mentioned as a problem in 29 out of 75 counties
  • Wildlife Habitat concerns: mentioned as a problem in 27 out of 75 counties
Primary Program Concerns Raised at Local Meetings
  • Provide better opportunity for forestland acres to participate.
  • Provide better opportunity for small operations versus large operations.
  • Would like to see a county base allocation (more allotted).
2004 EQIP Conservation Practice, Sign-Up, and Ranking Documents

The following documents require Adobe Acrobat.

 Adobe Acrobat DocumentEQIP Ranking Guidelines
Adobe Acrobat DocumentArkansas 2005 State EQIP Policies
Adobe Acrobat DocumentEQIP Impact Criteria Points
Adobe Acrobat DocumentEQIP Cost-Share Practices
Adobe Acrobat DocumentEQIP Practice Points
Adobe Acrobat DocumentEQIP Ranking Criteria Worksheet
Adobe Acrobat DocumentThreatened and Endangered Species Table
Adobe Acrobat DocumentImpaired Stream Table
Adobe Acrobat DocumentGroundwater Decline Maps
Adobe Acrobat DocumentEQIP Forestry Fact Sheet

Contact

Jim Caudle
Phone: (501) 301-3122
Email: jim.caudle@usda.gov

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