EQIP Program in Rockwall 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).

Rockwall County Office Information

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

Glenn Lubke, District Conservationist

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

Objective:

The objectives of the Rockwall County LWG are to promote the use of conservation practices for improving the natural resources throughout the county. Some of the major resource concerns are water quantity, plant health, erosion, and water quality.

County EQIP Resource Concern:

Water Quality is the highest priority concern in Rockwall County.

Priority for Funding:

Water Quality is the highest priority concern in Rockwall County. Cropland will be given highest priority for funding. Introduced pastureland will be given medium priority for funding. Native rangeland will be given a lower priority for funding.

Eligible Practices and Cost Share Rates:

Limited Resource Farmers and Ranchers  - 90 percent.
Beginning Farmers and Ranchers  - 60 percent.
All Other Applicants  - 50 percent.

Cost share for grass establishment will be by Practice Based Average Costs. For introduced grasses this includes the cost of seedbed preparation, seed or sprigs, seeding or sprigging operation, and weed control. For native grasses and forbs this includes the cost of seedbed preparation, seed and seeding operation, and mechanical weed control.

Cost share for practices involving shaping with a bulldozer and grass planting Grassed Waterways and Critical Area Planting will by Practice Based Average Costs. This includes the cost of shaping, seedbed preparation, seed or sprigs, seeding or sprigging operation, and weed control.

1. Pasture and Hay land Planting 512
   
2. Range Seeding 550
   
3. Pest Management 595
   
4. Nutrient Management 590
   
5. Critical Area Planting 342
   
6. Grassed Waterways 412
   
7. Terraces 600
   
8. Ponds 378
   
9. Diversion 362
   
10. Filter Strips 393
    
11. Brush Management 314
    
12. Fences interior fences only 382
    
13. Pest Management for Establishment 595
    
14. Pasture and Hay land Planting Legumes 512 Incentive

Nutrient Management 590 and Pest Management 595 are eligible for cost share as part of the establishment cost of Pasture Planting 512, Range Seeding 550, Critical Area Planting 342, Grassed Waterways 412, and Filter Strips 393. Nutrient Management 590 and Pest Management 595 may be used as an incentive payment in the second and third year after grass planting.

Note - Brush work will be determined as a technical call according to NRCS Technical Guide standards and specifications for Brush Management 314 by your local conservationist.

Ranking Criteria:

Planned practices distance to a perennial stream < 500 feet – 100 points

Predominate land use to be treated is Cropland – 75 points

Predominate land use to be treated is Pastureland – 50 points

Predominate land use to be treated is Rangeland – 25 points

Do you have a current conservation plan on file with NRCS? – 5 points