Water Quality - South Central Texas

Objective

Using a watershed approach to make a significant water quality impact on the land, whole farm/ranch conservation planning on a voluntary approach will be stressed in identified watersheds. This will provide the best alternative for the producer to apply the best science and conservation management practices that will result in the most positive impact to water quality.

In several streams in south central Texas, low dissolved oxygen levels indicate that existing conditions are not optimal for aquatic life. In many of those same streams, concentrations of bacteria pose a potential health risk for swimmers. In response to these conditions, the TCEQ Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Program initiated a project to evaluate the extent and severity of low dissolved oxygen concentrations and high bacteria concentrations in the water bodies.

The use of EQIP will leverage other federal (Clean Water Act Section 319h) and state programs to address water quality and thereby aid in the efforts of any TMDL implementation plan. EQIP funding will be utilized in the High Priority Category first until all eligible applications are obligated before any funds are directed to the Medium and Low Categories respectively. Higher cost share rates (75 percent) will be allowed for selected practices that encompass a whole farm/ranch plan (High Priority), provide for the most effective treatment to address the resource concern and that will help address all resource concerns of the land. For EQIP screening and ranking eligibility, all components of the whole farm/ranch plan must be addressed and be maintained.

Resource Concern

Water Quality - Surface Water

Eligibility

Contract acreage is a contiguous livestock operation where at least a portion is located in the project area of the Lower San Antonio River, Peach Creek, Atascosa River, Sandies Creek, or Elm Creek which encompasses portions of Atascosa, Bastrop, Bexar, Caldwell, DeWitt, Fayette, Frio, Goliad, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Karnes, Lavaca, Live Oak, Medina, McMullen, Refugio, Victoria, and Wilson counties.

All applications will be accepted and ranked for possible funding.

Eligible Practices:

Brush Management (314)
Critical Area Treatment (342)
Diversion (362)
Fence (382)
Field Borders (386)
Filter Strips (393)
Nutrient Management (590)
Pasture and Hayland Planting (512)
Pest Management (595)
Pipeline (516)
Pond (378)
Prescribed Grazing (528)
Range Planting (550)
Residue Management, No-Till/Strip Till (329)
Residue Management, Mulch Till (345)
Riparian Herbaceous Cover (390)
Riparian Forest Buffer (391)
Terraces (600)
Waterways (412)
Water Well (642)
Watering Facility (614)

A practice is not eligible for EQIP cost share if 319 funds are available for the same practice.

Cost Share Rates:

Limited Resource Farmer/Rancher – 90 percent
Beginning Farmer/Rancher -50 percent
All Others - 50 percent

75 percent cost - share for the following practices will be considered only if the practices are part of a RMS level Conservation Plan that addresses the whole farm/ranch.

Field Border (386)
Filter Strip (393)
Riparian Forest Buffer (391)
Riparian Herbaceous Cover (390)

Practices will be cost shared based on the established county average cost of the practice.

Incentives

Prescribed Grazing (528)* - 7.50/Ac/Yr (3 yr. maximum)
Prescribed Grazing (528) – Within Riparian Zone 20.00/Ac/Yr (3 yr. maximum)
(Fence Required)
Residue Management, No-Till/Strip Till (329)** - $20.00/Ac/Yr (3 yr. maximum)
Residue Management, Mulch Till (345) - $15.00/Ac/Yr (3 yr. maximum)
Nutrient Management (590) $5.00/Ac/Yr (3 yr. maximum)
Pest Management (595) $2.00/Ac/Yr (1 yr. maximum for establishment of (512))
** Must have a positive Soil Condition Index (SCI) and a Soil Tillage Intensity Rating (STIR) of <30 for the system.

*Prescribed Grazing Plan must include complete management unit

Ranking Criteria:

1. Will the treated acreage adjoin the named portion of the Sandies, Elm, or Peach Creeks or the Lower San Antonio or Atascosa Rivers according to a USGS 7.5” Topographic Map? Y or N.
   
   If Yes, then 100 points.
    
2. Is the treated acreage not joined to, but within 1000 feet of the named portion of the Sandies, Elm, or Peach Creeks or the Lower San Antonio or Atascosa Rivers according to a USGS 7.5” Topographic Map? Y or N.
   
   If Yes, then 95 points.
    
3. Will you allow a RMS Level Conservation Plan to be developed on your whole farm/ranch operation that contains the acreage being considered for EQIP funding? Y or N.
   
   If Yes, then 90 points.
    
4.  Did you answer “No” to questions 1, 2 and 3 and is the treated acreage located in one of the identified watersheds? Y or N.
   
   If Yes, then 85 points.