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EQIP Statewide Program Implementation - FY 2009The FY 2009 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) in Oklahoma will have the following distribution of the fund allocation: County Base AllocationDistribution to Oklahoma’s 88 Conservation Districts to address priority natural resource issues identified through the locally-led conservation process. These priorities are in each county level program description. Historically Underserved National InitiativeHistorically Underserved - Funds have been set-aside in an initiative to address the needs of the historically underserved farmer/rancher (beginning farmer/rancher [BFR], limited resource farmer/rancher [LRFR], and socially disadvantaged farmer/rancher [SDA]). Applicants in these categories are eligible for a higher payment rate within all the EQIP programs. Certification that participants meet this requirement is made on the application form. Local Emphasis AreasA focus should be maintained on prioritizing treatment when the locally-led process indicates a specific geographic area where a special natural resource conservation emphasis is needed. These special emphasis areas are called Local Emphasis Areas (LEAs) and are listed under the counties where they are located. Select the county of interest from the county level program description page. American Indian and Underserved Community OutreachAmerican Indian Tribes and communities that have not historically participated in USDA conservation programs, identified through NRCS assistance with the Tribes or through the locally-led process across the state, were provided an allocation to address their natural resource issues and concerns. Animal Waste Management for Animal Feeding OperationsStatewide AFO/CAFO Resource Concerns - An allocation has been set-aside to fund animal waste management applications statewide. These funds will be available only to existing and expanding beef, dairy, or swine confined feeding operations. A lower priority will be given to operations that are planning expansion beyond current levels or capacity, and all applications for new facilities and poultry operations are ineligible for evaluation under the Statewide AFO/CAFO Resource Concern Criteria. This now allows AFO/CAFO operations to apply for EQIP financial assistance for the storage, treatment, and utilization of animal waste. Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) InitiativeCNMP Development Initiative - The CNMP initiative provides funds for development of Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans by private-sector Technical Service Providers (TSPs). A CNMP is a conservation system plan that is unique to animal feeding operations (AFO/CAFO). The plan includes a set of conservation practices and management activities that address natural resource concerns dealing with manure and organic by-products and their potential impacts on water quality. Lagoon Closure Set-asideStatewide Lagoon Closures - This set-aside is to be used to assist in the closure of waste treatment lagoons and waste storage ponds where confined animal production operations were discontinued voluntarily, involuntarily, or by termination of an industry contract. The Lagoon Closure set-aside provides funding for closure of waste impoundments (treatment lagoons, waste storage ponds, under barn storage pits, and other associated waste facilities) in an environmentally safe manner, that are no longer used for their intended purpose. Statewide Irrigation Water ConservationStatewide Irrigation Water Conservation - The State Technical Committee recommended offering ground and surface water conservation funding statewide to provide irrigators an opportunity for cost-share assistance to increase system efficiency and provide for water savings. Statewide Manure Transfer Resource ConcernsManure Transfer - Potential environmental concerns relative to the management of animal wastes in Oklahoma‘s Nutrient Limited Waters (NLW) and Scenic River watersheds continues to be a high priority for the State Technical Committee. As a result, new Statewide Manure Transfer Resource Concerns have been developed to address the two primary objectives: (1) Create an incentive to distribute animal manure to areas of the state that have historically not used animal manure as a fertilizer; and (2) Promotion of a long-term market for animal manure as a fertilizer around the state. Statewide No-till EmphasisNo-Till Emphasis - No-Till Emphasis Areas are designed to promote no-till for crop production in Oklahoma, the use of which will provide environmental benefits to soil, water, and air. The spectrum of soil management practices ranges from crop residue management with conservation tillage systems to practices designed to keep plants growing on the land as much of the year as practical – cover crops, strip-cropping, and conservation crop rotation. In most cases, no-till is the ideal tillage system for maintaining high levels of crop residue. Continuous no-till is needed to maximize the benefits for soil quality and erosion control. Statewide Organic Initiative *NEW*Statewide Organic Initiative - The EQIP organic initiative has been established to provide financial assistance to National Organic Program (NOP) certified producers as well as producers in the process of transitioning to organic production. The organic initiative prioritizes six core practices: Conservation Crop Rotation, Cover Crop, Nutrient Management, Pest Management, Prescribed Grazing, and Forage Harvest Management. The practices are traditional conservation practices which will be implemented in a manner which certifies as "organic". Quail Habitat Restoration InitiativeQuail Habitat Restoration Initiative - The Quail Habitat Restoration Initiative provides cost-share to landowners willing to restore and manage quail habitat. Restoration efforts will center on five “Focal Areas” that have been identified as having a high potential for eliciting population growth and expansion. How To ApplyApplications are accepted throughout the year and are ranked and selected during designated periods. Applicants may apply by completing the NRCS-CPA-1200 Application Form and Appendix and submit it to their local NRCS Field Service Center. For additional information and assistance, contact your local NRCS Field Service Center. The following document requires Adobe Acrobat.
State Program ContactKenneth Hitch For additional information and assistance, contact your local NRCS Field Service Center. Last Reviewed/Modified: 10/09/2009 |
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