EQIP Program in Delta County

Updated 11/28/2005

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).

Delta County Office Information

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

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

Objective:

The objectives of the Delta County EQIP Local Work Group are to promote the use of conservation practices for improving the natural resources throughout the county.

County EQIP Resource Concern:

In Delta County for 2006, the LWG has identified the following resource concerns as being top priority for cost share assistance this year – Plant Health on Pastureland and Soil Erosion on Cropland were selected as the two highest priority concerns in Delta County. 80 percent of the county allocated funds will be used for Plant Health and 20 percent of the county allocated funds will be used for Soil Erosion.

Eligible Practices and Cost Share Rates:

Limited Resource Producers – 90 percent
Beginning Farmers/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.

Cost sharing will be allowed for the following practices as identified in the Field Office Technical Guide-

Pasture Planting, Critical Area Planting, Pond, Fence, Grade Stabilization Structure

For cost share consideration, these practices must be needed to significantly improve plant health on pastureland-

Pasture Planting 512 – 100 acres maximum. Average cost = $55 per acre for common Bermuda, $80 per acre for improved seed, $35 per acre for overseeding legumes, $135 per acre for sprigging.

Nutrient Management 590 – Average cost = $48 per acre. Cost share is for establishment of grasses and legumes. Rate based on 40-40-40 N-P-K per acre. Lime applied per acre is $35 per ton. (Soil test required at time of sign-up.)

Pest Management 595 – Average cost = $15 per acre, chemical or mechanical. Cost share is for establishment of grass.

Critical Area Planting 342 – 5 acres maximum. Average cost = $450 per acre for light shaping, $550 per acre for medium shaping, $700 per acre for heavy shaping. Seedbed Prep – Medium at $38 per acre, Seeding Operation – Broadcast and Roll at $10 per acre, Seed – Common Bermuda at $3 per pound PLS pure live seed. Cost share is for establishment of grass on spoil and disturbed areas.

Nutrient Management 590 – Average cost = $48 per acre. Cost share is for establishment of grass on spoil and disturbed areas.

Pest Management 595 – Average cost = $15 per acre, chemical or mechanical. Cost share is for establishment of grass on spoil and disturbed areas.

Ponds 378 – 3111 cubic yards maximum. Average cost = $1.50 per cubic yard.

Critical Area Planting 342 – Average cost = Seedbed Prep – Medium at $38 per acre, Seeding operation – Broadcast and Roll at $10 per acre, Seed – Common Bermuda at $3 per pound PLS. This is for establishment of grass on spoil and disturbed areas of pond.

Nutrient Management 590 – Average cost = $48 per acre. Cost share is for establishment of grass on spoil and disturbed areas of pond.

Pest Management 595 – Average cost = $15 per acre, chemical or mechanical. Cost share is for establishment of grass on spoil and disturbed areas of pond.

Fence 382 – 2640 feet maximum. Average cost = $2.00 per foot, 4 wire standard. Permanent electric fence - 4 wire, $1.00 per foot, energizer $225.

Grade Stabilization Structure 410 – Average cost = $1.50 per cubic yard, 7000 cubic yard maximum, 14 gauge pipe-1400 diameter feet or 12 gauge pipe-1530 diameter feet. $3000 maximum cost share on pipe. Rock Panel Drop – 75 tons of rock or $4000 maximum cost share.

Critical Area Planting 342 – Average cost = Seedbed Prep – Medium at $38 per acre, Seeding operation – Broadcast and Roll at $10 per acre, Seed – Common Bermuda at $3 per pound PLS. This is for establishment of grass on spoil and disturbed areas of GSS.

Nutrient Management 590 – Average cost = $48 per acre. Cost share is for establishment of grass on spoil and disturbed areas of GSS.

Pest Management 595 – Average cost = $15 per acre, chemical or mechanical. Cost share is for establishment of grass on spoil and disturbed areas of GSS.

Grassed Waterways, Terraces, and Grade Stabilization Structures -

For cost share consideration, these practices must be needed to significantly reduce soil erosion on cropland-

Grassed Waterways 412 – 5 acres maximum, Average cost = $450 per acre for light shaping and spoil spreading, $550 per acre for medium shaping, $700 per acre for heavy shaping.

Critical Area Planting 342 – Average cost = Seedbed Prep – Medium at $38 per acre, Seeding operation – Broadcast and Roll at $10 per acre, Seed – Common Bermuda at $3 per pound PLS. This is for establishment of grass on Grassed Waterways.

Nutrient Management 590 – Average cost = $48 per acre. Cost share is for establishment of grass on Grassed Waterways.

Pest Management 595 – Average cost = $15 per acre, chemical or mechanical. Cost share is for establishment of grass on Grassed Waterways.

Terraces 600 – Average cost = $.70 per foot. A maximum of 10,000 linear feet will be cost shared.

Grade Stabilization Structure 410 – Average cost = $1.50 per cubic yard, 7000 cubic yard maximum, 14 gauge pipe-1400 diameter feet or 12 gauge pipe-1530 diameter feet. $3000 maximum cost share on pipe. Rock Panel Drop – 75 tons of rock or $4000 maximum cost share.

Critical Area Planting 342 – Average cost = Seedbed Prep – Medium at $38 per acre, Seeding operation – Broadcast and Roll at $10 per acre, Seed – Common Bermuda at $3 per pound PLS. This is for establishment of grass on spoil and disturbed areas of GSS.

Nutrient Management 590 – Average cost = $48 per acre. Cost share is for establishment of grass on spoil and disturbed areas of GSS.

Pest Management 595 – Average cost = $15 per acre, chemical or mechanical. Cost share is for establishment of grass on spoil and disturbed areas of GSS.

Ranking Criteria:

• Pasture Planting – 100 acres maximum – 35 points


• Critical Area Planting – 5 acres maximum – 35 points


• Pond – 3111 cubic yards maximum – 15 points


• Fence – 2640 feet maximum – 15 points


• Grade Stabilization Structure – 10 points

• Grassed Waterways – 5 acres maximum – 25 points
  
• Terraces – 10,000 linear feet maximum – 25 points


• Grade Stabilization Structure – 25 points

Additional points for both Plant Health and Soil Erosion Resource Concerns  
Practice distance from Named Water Body on USGS Topo Map-

• 0-200 feet - 10 points


• 201-400 feet - 9 points


• 401-600 feet - 8 points


• 601-800 feet - 7 points


• 801-1000 feet - 6 points


• 1001-1200 feet - 5 points


• 1201-1400 feet - 4 points


• 1401-1600 feet - 3 points


• 1601-1800 feet - 2 points


• 1801-2000 feet - 1 point


• >2000 feet - 0 points

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