EQIP Program in Wise 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).

Wise County Office Information

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

Objective:

The objective of the Wise County Environmental Quality Incentives Program EQIP Local Work Group LWG is to promote the use of conservation practices for improving the natural resources throughout the county. The major resource concern for the county is to improve water quality in streams and lakes by reducing sedimentation from soil erosion.

County EQIP Resource Concern:

In Wise County for 2007, the Local Work Group LWG has identified the following resource concern as being the top priority for cost share assistance.

Water Quality associated with soil erosion and sedimentation was selected as the highest priority concern in Wise County. Range Planting and Pasture and Hayland Planting will be the highest priority practices for contract funding. Grade Stabilization Structures, Diversions, Critical Area Planting, Ponds, Water Well, Pipelines and Fencing are also high priority for cost share and will have a positive effect on the reduction of soil erosion and sedimentation.  The LWG also selected Plant Health as a secondary resource concern due to several years of below normal rainfall which have resulted in the deterioration of grasslands. Brush Management will have positive effect on plant health and will be included for cost share in 2007.

Eligible Practices and Cost Share Rates:

Limited Resource Producers - 90 percent
Beginning Farmers or Ranchers - 50 percent
Others - 50 percent

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

Range Planting 550 - Includes seedbed preparation, seed and seeding operation.

Pasture and Hayland Planting 512 - Includes seedbed preparation, sprigs or seed and sprigging or seeding operation.

Nutrient Management 590 - Incorporated only for grass establishment.

Nutrient Management 590 - Topdressing. Only for grass establishment.

Pest Management 595 - Chemical or mechanical. Only for grass establishment.

Critical Area Planting 342

Diversion 362

Fence 382

Grade Stabilization Structure 410

Water Well 642

Pipeline 516
 
Pond 378
 
Brush Management 314

Ranking Criteria:

1. Does the application include conservation practices that address the high priority resource concern where the primary practice deals with cropland converted to permanent grass? 100 points
   
   
2. Does the application include conservation practices that address the high priority resource concern where the primary practice deals with grassland restoration and enhancement? 80 points
   
   
3. Does the application include conservation practices that address the high priority resource concern where the primary practice deals with the the reduction of soil erosion on agricultural land, such as erosion control structures? 60 points
   
   
4. Does the application include conservation practices that address the secondary resource concern where the primary practice deals with the treatment of invasive brush species? 40 points
   
   
5. Are the conservation practices requested, documented in a conservation plan prior to November 1, 2006? If yes, award an additional 35 points to the above related issue.

Only one local issue will be used between items 1 through 4 for each application.

Applications will be ranked using the national ranking tool and points will be awarded according to how your application addresses National, State, and Local issues along with the cost efficiency of the practices needed to solve the resource concerns. Applications will be ranked from the highest to lowest score until all allocated funds have been exhausted or until there is not enough funds available to fund the next application with the highest score. In the case of a tie, a tracking code randomly generated by the computer software program, Protracts, will be used to break score ties. The highest tracking code number will be funded first. Applicant’s not funded will have a choice to defer or cancel their applications.

Practices not on the practice list are not eligible for cost share.