EQIP Program in Jackson 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).

Jackson County Office Information

Interested agricultural producers may apply in person at the Jackson 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 Jackson County:

Objective:

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) offers cost share assistance to agricultural producers to implement on-farm conservation practices that provide environmental benefits. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) 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). The identified resource concerns for Jackson County for 2007 are Water Quality and Plant Health.

All of Jackson County is eligible for EQIP so long as the land is considered agricultural land. Jackson County has approximately 250,000 acres of cropland and 250,000 acres of grazing lands. Average rainfall is about 42 inches per year

The objective of the EQIP program in Jackson county is to provide cost share based on the conditions present or planned that will provide the greatest benefit to water quality and plant health.

Applications are evaluated on the present or future condition desired by the applicant. The greater the potential for addressing water quality or plant health the greater the application will score when evaluated.

County EQIP Resource Concern:

In Jackson County for 2007, the PDG has identified Water Quality as the primary resource concern and Plant Health as a secondary resource concern.

Priority for Funding:

The EQIP Program in Jackson County has Water Quality with an emphasis on practices that reduce sedimentation, thus reducing nutrient loadings to surface waters as the primary and high priority concern for funding.

As a secondary and medium priority is Plant Health with an emphasis on brush control. Practices not related to the invasion of brush also benefit plant health and are also eligible for cost share.

Eligible Practices and Cost Share Rates:

Eligible Cost Shared Conservation Practices for Water Quality are:

Grade Stabilization Structures, Diversions, Waterways, Gully Shaping, Field Borders, Filter Strips, and Well Decommissioning

Eligible Practices for Plant Health are:

Chemical Brush Control, Livestock Watering Facilities, Ponds, Cross Fencing, and Range Seeding.

Cost Share Rates

Practices will be cost shared on the established average cost (AC) of the practice. The amount of cost share earned will be based on the number of units certified after completion multiplied by the average cost multiplied by a percent cost share rate.

Incentive Payment Levels

Incentive payments will be paid for one to three years

Incentive Payments are set up for Water Quality Concern as follows:

Field Borders and Filter Strips (one time only when established)
Riparian Buffers (one to three years)
Nutrient Management (first year only)

Incentive Payments are set up for Plant Health Concern as follows:

Prescribed Grazing (one to three years)

See Jackson County Cost list for more detailed Information

Jackson County Screening Tool 2007

A Application is for plant health on grazing lands

Yes Go To B

livestock will be present for the duration of the contract.

No Go To E

B Application addresses Brush Control with the following Yes High Priority conditions:

NO GO TO C

1. Brush has not been shredded, sprayed, or burned within the last 12 months;
   
2. At least half of each pasture will receive treatment;
   
3. Brush is more than 4 ft tall

C Application addresses Brush Control YES Not Eligible that does not meet criteria for High Priority

No Go To D

D Application does not address Brush Control; Yes Med Priority other practices are needed and desired. NO GO TO E

E Application is for Well Decommissioning Yes High Priority

NO Go To F

F Application addresses active erosion Yes High Priority

No Go To H

H Application addresses incentive practices Yes Med Priority only; nutrient management, buffers; or grazing No Not Eligible management.

Ranking Criteria:

Cost Share Percentages:

County Rate: 50 percent
Beginning Farmer and Rancher: 50 percent
Limited Resource Producer: 90 percent

Points will only be awarded for one Issue.

Issue 1
Will the treatment you intend to implement under EQIP result in reductions of non-point source pollution from nutrients or pesticides to surface or ground water?
Yes  _____ 100 points
No  _____ 0 points _____

Issue 3
Will the treatment you intend to implement under EQIP result in reduction of soil erosion on cropland?
Yes  _____ 90 points
No  _____ 0 points ______

Issue 4
Will the treatment you intend to implement under EQIP result in a reduction of soil erosion on grazing lands?
Yes  _____ 85 points
No  _____ 0 points ______

Issue 9
Will the treatment you intend to implement under EQIP result in plant health benefits to grazing lands? Erosion is not a primary concern and no erosion practices are planned.
Yes _____ 60 points
No  _____  0 points ______

Issue 13
Is the applicant addressing total resource planning (RMS) thru a Water Quality Management Plan?
Yes  _____ 40 points
No  _____ 0 points ______

Issue 19
Is the applicant addressing ecological diversity and wildlife by enhancement practices such as wetlands creation or restoration, or protecting sensitive riparian areas by managing livestock or cultural practices?
Yes  _____ 10 points
No  _____ 0 points ______