Kansas

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced Jan. 20, 2006, as the cutoff date for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) applications to be considered for Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 funding.

EQIP Ground and Surface Water Conservation (GSWC)

In addition to the regular EQIP, producers across the state may apply for financial assistance through the GSWC provisions of EQIP. Assistance to a producer will be provided only to facilitate a conservation practice that results in a net savings in ground and surface water resources in the ag operation of the producer.

New GSWC Provision: Quick Response Areas (QRA)

"To improve the effectiveness of EQIP Ground and Surface Water Conservation funds, Quick Response Areas have been designated in the High Plains Aquifer region for reducing water use," said Harold L. Klaege, NRCS State Conservationist. "These areas were identified by four Western Kansas Groundwater Management Districts and the Kansas Division of Water Resources."

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High Plains Aquifer Quick Response Areas Map (258 KB)

NRCS will provide EQIP financial assistance for eligible applications located within QRA where producers convert irrigated cropland to nonirrigated cropland.

EQIP Self-Assessment Tool

When farmers or ranchers apply for 2006 EQIP funding, they will be required to fill out the Kansas EQIP Self-Assessment Tool for FY 2006.

"If they plan to apply, they should start the process very soon if they haven't done so already," emphasized Klaege.

"The self-assessment tool is an educational tool," he explained, "providing landowners with a clear indication of what natural resource concerns they have, what they can accomplish, and what they need to do to qualify for the program."

"We see this self-assessment as a time-saving and money-saving tool," said Klaege. "We envision that the self-assessment will cut down on the time it takes NRCS to process applications for EQIP and that it will also reduce the federal dollars required to administer the program and make more dollars available for producers."

EQIP Funding

Kansas received over $24.8 million in FY 2005 and 2,022 contracts were funded. More than 2,680 applications were received that totaled over $31 million.

In Kansas, EQIP funds will help farmers and ranchers install conservation practices that improve and protect Kansas's priority natural resource concerns.

"The objective of EQIP is to address natural resource concerns through the application of improved conservation systems. EQIP is an environmental enhancement program," said Klaege.

EQIP--one of the largest programs in the 2002 farm bill--is a voluntary conservation program that promotes environmental quality and assists producers to meet local, state, and federal regulations.

Kansas Identifies Priority Natural Resource Concerns

The FY-2006 Kansas EQIP eligible priority natural resource concerns are as follows:

--Air Quality--Objectionable Odors;

--Forestland Health--Productivity, Health, Vigor;

--Grazing Lands Health--Productivity, Health, Vigor and Noxious or Invasive Weeds;

--Sedimentation of Federal Reservoirs--Soil Erosion--Streambank; Water Quality--Excessive Suspended Sediment and Turbidity in Surface Water;

--Soil Quality--Organic Matter Depletion;

--Water Quality--Concentrated, Non-confined Animal Waste;

--Water Quality--Confined Animal Waste;

--Water Quality--Nutrients/Pesticides/Suspended Sediment;

--Water Quantity--Inefficient Water Use on Irrigated Land; Aquifer Overdraft;

--Water Quantity (Quick Response Areas)--Inefficient Water Use on Irrigated Land; Aquifer Overdraft.

Cutoff Date Set to Evaluate EQIP Applications

"After Jan. 20, 2006, NRCS staff will begin evaluating applications received in Kansas. Producers who submitted an application should know by the end of March 2006 if their application has been accepted and funds allocated for their contract," explained Klaege.

The NRCS will evaluate each application and give higher priority to those applications that use cost-effective conservation practices; treat multiple resource concerns; address national, state, or local priorities; and provide the most environmental benefits.

Apply at Local NRCS Office

Agricultural producers interested in participating in EQIP can apply at any time at their United States Department of Agriculture Service Center at their local NRCS office. Information about 2006 EQIP is available on the Web site or is available at your local USDA Service Center from the NRCS or conservation district staff. This will include information about 2006 EQIP; EQIP fact sheets explaining Kansas EQIP, GSWC, and QRA; map of QRA; the Kansas EQIP: Self-Assessment Tool; an application form; a list of eligible practices and average costs; and specifics on Kansas's ranking process, including criteria used to evaluate applications.