Rhode Island 2008 State EQIP Sign-Up and Application Information

General Program Description     PROGRAM INFORMATION (APPLICATIONS AND CRITERIA)

NRCS takes applications year round.

EQIP Overview

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides cost share and incentive payments to implement conservation practices on eligible agricultural land. Agricultural producers may voluntarily apply to the program to help them improve environmental quality in concert with agricultural production on their farms.

The Rhode Island EQIP program is administered and managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service with advice from the RI State Technical Team (the Team). The State Technical Team is comprised of representatives from state and federal agencies, universities, agribusiness, and environmental and agricultural non-profit organizations. The State Technical Team meets bi-monthly or as needed.

The State Technical Team consults with the USDA Local Work Group (LWG) on an as needed basis for the development of the eligible conservation practices, cost share rates, ranking criteria, outreach plans, etc. In a small state like RI, often many of the members of the LWG are also members of the State Technical Team, so the LWG functions more like a subcommittee of the Team to work on complex issues that warrant work outside of the State Technical Team meetings. Members from the FSA County Committees and other local governmental representatives participate at the LWG level. NRCS, FSA and other agency staff also solicit ideas from farmers throughout the state during their on-going work, and these ideas are also forwarded to the LWG for consideration. The LWG feeds its advice to the State Technical Team for discussion and consideration. The RI NRCS State Conservationist makes the final decision on all aspects of EQIP program management in RI.

Based on input at both the LWG and State Technical Team levels, the following resource concerns have been identified as priorities for funding:

• Water Quality associated with pathogen, pesticides and/or nutrients.
• Water Quantity, particularly where wildlife habitat may be impaired by irrigation water withdrawals
• Soil Erosion Control and Soil Quality
• Animal and Plant Quality associated with Threatened and Endangered Species, other wildlife habitat, and invasive species
• Air quality associated with chemical drift, particulates, ozone and odors.

These resource concerns are considered most critical in the following sensitive areas in RI:

• Watersheds of drinking water supplies, coastal salt ponds, and shellfish beds potentially threatened by agricultural activities, and water bodies listed on the RIDEM 303d list.
• Groundwater aquifers and their recharge areas classified as GAA.
• Critical fish and wildlife habitat potentially affected by irrigation withdrawals.
• Soils considered prime farmland and of statewide importance.
• Farms adjacent to public outdoor areas where air quality is a concern.

Ranking criteria based on the resource concerns identified above have been developed at the state level to evaluate applications for funding. Location factor points are granted if the project is located in a sensitive area and the farmer is willing to address one of the primary resource concerns. It is important to note that all eligible applications are accepted and ranked, regardless of farm location and planned conservation practices. Applications are funded based on the ranking outcome – the higher the points the more likely a plan will be funded.

The application process

While EQIP provides for continuous sign-up, a deadline date of November 1, 2007 has been set to ensure adequate time to evaluate, rank and approve applications for funding. Applicants that meet the November 1, deadline must complete ALL eligibility requirements by November 15, 2007 to maintain eligibility for the funding allocated in the FY 2008 ranking period. See EQIP application requirements for all paperwork and other criteria that must be established prior to November 15, 2007. Upon receipt of an FY 2008 application, NRCS will notify all applicants of the additional requirements that must be met. Applications for EQIP may be made at the NRCS office in Warwick, Rhode Island.

Once an application is received, you will be contacted by NRCS staff to complete an on-farm assessment and prepare a draft conservation plan, which is then used to complete the EQIP ranking. All applications are ranked at the same time. You will be notified following ranking as to whether or not your application has been approved for final conservation plan and contract development.

Eligibility

Any producer engaged in livestock or crop production on eligible land may apply for EQIP, but must meet eligibility requirements.  Please see eligibility criteria for FY 2008  To be posted (below) for details on producer eligibility requirements.  Additional paperwork beyond the application may be required to complete the determination.  For more information (see below) the EQIP Application Requirements.  NRCS also makes the land eligibility determination.  Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pasture land, private non-industrial forest land, and other farm or ranch lands as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture that has a resource concern that can be addressed with an approved conservation practice.

Packets of EQIP forms and info are also attainable at the:
USDA NRCS Office, 60 Quaker Lane, Suite 46, Warwick, RI 02835

Links to Other Useful Documents for the 2007 EQIP Program -

• EQIP News Release
• EQIP Fact Sheet
• Rhode Island Field Office Technical Guide
• Limited Resource Farmer Determination

Contact

EQIP Program Manager
Phone: 401-822-8820
 

Last Modified: 03/18/2008