Announcement of Statewide AFO/CAFO EQIP Fund Availability

Contact: Jasper Parker, 405-742-1243

Stillwater, Oklahoma Nov. 18, 2005—M. Darrel Dominick, state conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), announces that funding is now available under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for treatment of resource concerns for large confined animal feeding operations statewide for fiscal year 2006. Oklahoma has set aside cost share assistance to apply conservation practices and management incentives for the treatment of water quality resource concerns relative to animal waste management. “Applicants will compete statewide for the EQIP large confined animal resource concern funds,” says Dominick. Successful applicants will be selected from a statewide list of applicants with high priority resource concerns as addressed in the application ranking criteria.

The 2002 Farm Bill removed the restrictions on the use of EQIP funds for the large confined animal feeding operations (AFO/CAFO), and the State Technical Committee requested a statewide process to address the potential water quality impacts of these operations to the rivers and streams of the state. This allows these operations to apply for EQIP financial assistance for animal waste storage, treatment, and utilization for eligible beef, dairy, and swine operations to address these potential resource concerns. In addition, air quality concerns are being addressed in 2006 by making dust control measures in beef feedlots available for financial assistance. Priority is given to existing large confined animal operations that are maintaining or reducing the size of the operation with a lesser priority for expanding facilities. New facilities of any type, along with poultry operations are ineligible. All applicants will be required to develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive nutrient management plan (CNMP) during the EQIP contract period.

“We are accepting applications for participation in the statewide AFO/CAFO EQIP program on a continuous basis,” adds Dominick. “However, only applications received by December 30, 2006, will be ranked and considered during this initial selection period.” Evaluated applications will be grouped and selected for funding from a statewide pool of applicants soon after March 1, 2006, until the funding allocation is obligated. Unsuccessful applications will be maintained for future funding consideration if the applicant chooses to remain on the waiting list. Successful applicants with high priority resource concerns will be contacted to develop contracts to obligate the current funding allocation. Individual large confined animal feeding operations that have high priority resource concerns and are interested in participation in EQIP may apply at any time at your local NRCS Field Service Center. Applications received will be evaluated according to the statewide ranking criteria as workload permits and reviewed for potential funding as program allocations become available.

All programs and services of the Natural Resources Conservation Service are provided in a nondiscriminatory manner.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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