EQIP Program in Galveston 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).

Galveston County Office Information

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

Objective:

The objective of the Galveston County EQIP LWG is to promote the use of conservation practices for improving the natural resources throughout the county with major emphasis on improving water quantity and plant health.

County EQIP Resource Concern:

In Galveston County for 2006, the Local Work Group has identified Water Quantity and Grazing Land Health as the major resource concerns.

Priority for Funding:

• Irrigation Land Leveling High Priority - 400 points per screening tool
  
• Irrigation Land Leveling Medium Priority - 395 points per screening tool
  
• Irrigation Land Leveling Low Priority - 390 points per screening tool
  
• Brush Management High Priority – 190 points per screening tool
  
• Brush Management Medium Priority - 185 points per screening tool
  
• Brush Management Low Priority - 180 points per screening
  
• Pasture Planting High Priority - 100 points per screening tool
  
• Pasture Planting Medium Priority - 95 points per screening tool
  
• Pasture Planting Low Priority - 90 points per screening tool
  
• Cross Fence High Priority– 35 points per screening tool
  
• Cross Fence Medium Priority– 30 points per screening tool
  
• Cross Fence Low Priority– 25 points per screening tool
  
• Livestock Pond High Priority – 35 points per screening tool
  
• Livestock Pond Medium Priority – 30 points per screening tool
  
• Livestock Pond Low Priority – 25 points per screening tool

Eligible Practices and Cost Share Rates:

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

Practices will be cost share based on the established average cost of the practice. The amounts 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 -

1. Irrigation Land Leveling (464)
   
2. Brush Management (314)
   
3. Pasture Planting (512)
   
4. Cross Fencing (382)
   
5. Livestock Pond (378)

For cost share consideration, these practices must be needed to significantly impact Water Quantity and improve Plant Health according to NRCS specifications and guidelines.

• Irrigation Land Leveling (464) - Average cost = $400.00 per acre. 200 acre limit per application.
  
• Brush Management (314) - Average cost = $90.00 per acre for chemical control
  
• Pasture and Hayland Planting (512) - Average cost = $90.00 per acre for seed , sprigs, and tops to be applied on cropland being retired from production
  
• Range Planting (550) - Average Cost = $90.00 per acre to be applied on cropland being retired from production.
  
• Nutrient Management (590) - Average cost = $80.00 per acre for establishment only on
  improved pasture.
  
• Cross Fencing (382) – Average cost = $1.60 per foot. Can be utilized either on newly established pastures or large existing pastures that need dividing for better grazing distribution.
  
• Livestock Pond (378) – Average cost = $1.60 per cubic yard. Cubic yard limit is 3000 per facility. Livestock ponds can be constructed in new and existing pastures if there is a need of watering facilities.

Ranking Criteria:

Irrigation Land Leveling (464)

1. Has Irrigated cropland been irrigated 2 out of the last 5 years.
   ___Yes Go to Question 2 __No Not Eligible
   
2. Are you within 2 miles of a urban area.
   __Yes Low Priority __No Go to Question 3
   
3. Are you within 1 mile of a river, creek, stream, or major ditch maintained by a Drainage District.
   __Yes High Priority __No Medium Priority

1. Do you have Huisache, McCartney Rose, or Chinese Tallow on pastureland.
   __Yes Go to Question 2 __No Not Eligible
   
   
2. Are you within 2 miles of an urban area.
   __Yes Low Priority __No Go to Question 3
   
   
3. Are you within 1 mile of a river, creek, stream, or major ditch maintained by a Drainage District.
   
   __Yes High Priority __No Medium Priority

Pasture/Hayland Planting (512)

1. (A) Do you have existing pastureland.
   __Yes Go to Question 2 __No Not Eligible
   
   
2. Are you within 2 miles of a urban area.
   __Yes Low Priority __No Go to Question 3
   
   
3. Are you within 1 mile of a river, creek, stream, or major ditch maintained by a Drainage District.
   __Yes High Priority __No Medium Priority

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