EQIP Program in Sterling County

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) offers cost share assistance to agricultural producers to implement on-farm conservation practices.  The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) determines eligible producers for the EQIP program and determines eligible land.  Eligible producers may apply for cost share assistance on conservation practices that will address the identified resource concern identified by the Local Work Group (LWG).

Sterling County Office Information

Interested agricultural producers may apply in person at the Sterling County USDA Service Center. Applicants may also request EQIP assistance by telephone, Fax, e-mail, or letter.

State Resource Concerns Priority Areas that include part of Sterling County:

Objective:

The objectives of the Sterling County EQIP Local Work Group are to promote the wise use of conservation practices for improving the natural resources of the County. A meeting of the Local Work Group identified the following resource concern - Water Quantity

To limit potential sediment loading in the North Concho Watershed due to recent wildfires. This will be accomplished through deferment and proper utilization of grazinglands within the affected watershed area.

County EQIP Resource Concern:

Water Quantity was selected as the highest priority concern for Sterling County. Brush Management will be given the highest priority for funding.

Water Quality- to insure water quality is maintained in the North Concho Watershed following wildfires that destroyed vegetation.

Priority for Funding:

High Priority
Brush Management outside of an approved State Brush Control Watershed

Prickly Pear, Cedar or Mesquite - 100 points

Medium Priority
Brush Management and facilitating practices within an approved State Brush Control Watershed

Prickly Pear, Cedar or Mesquite - 50 points
Fence - 15 points
Watering Facility - 15 points
Well - 15 points
Livestock Pipeline - 15 points
Range Seeding - 10 points
Prescribed Burning - 10 points
Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment - 10 points

Prescribed Grazing Incentive - 5 points

Interior fences and Prescribed Grazing will be offered as high priority items to address the water quality concern.

Eligible Practices and Cost Share Rates:

Limited Resource Producers - 90 percent
Beginning Farmers/Ranchers - 50 percent
All others - 50 percent

Practices will be cost shared based on the established average cost of the practice. The amount of cost share will be the number of units certified after completion multiplied by the average cost multiplied by the cost share percentage.

Fences - 50 percent
Prescribed Grazing - $5/ac/yr

Ranking Criteria:

Screening Criteria

1. Is the conservation practices to be installed Brush Management Yes or No
If no, stop the application will be assigned a medium priority
If yes, continue with question 2

2. Is the application acres located outside of an approved State Brush Control Watershed
Yes or No
If yes, stop the application will be assigned a high priority.
If no, stop the application will be assigned a medium priority.

Only High Priority applications will be ranked initially. If funds remain following High Priority scoring, then medium priority will be ranked.

Screening

Ranking

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