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Audubon County EQIPThe Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality. This program is available to farmers and offers financial and technical assistance to install or implement structural and management practices on eligible agricultural land. The following are Audubon County Resource Concerns to be addressed by EQIP: Air Quality
Domestic Animals
Fish and Wildlife
Plant Condition
Soil Condition
Soil Erosion
Water Quality
Water Quantity
These resource concerns address the following National EQIP priorities: Reduction of non-point source pollution, such as nutrients, sediment, pesticides, or excess salinity in impaired watersheds consistent with Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), where available, as well as the reduction of groundwater contamination and the conservation of ground and surface water resources. Reduction in soil erosion and sedimentation from unacceptable high levels on agricultural land. The goal of the locally led group was to recommend a ranking system that rewarded and gave priority to those producers that help most to address the above resource concerns and improved low plant productivity on pastureland. Controlling excessive sheet/rill, ephemeral, and gully erosion on highly erodible land, and degraded surface water quality due to sediments, nutrients, and chemicals are also important to the local work group. The ranking will be completed for the specific practices to be applied through the EQIP contract. Sign-up is continuous at the NRCS field office. Application ranking will be done periodically as funding allocations become available, will be announced through the NRCS State Office, and will be publicized by all levels of NRCS. The NRCS may establish local, minimum ranking cut-off levels for funding selection. The local work group also recommended a list of conservation practices that are the most cost-effective, longest duration, and address these priority resource concerns in the District. For more information on EQIP and other NRCS administrated programs, contact the Audubon County USDA Service Center located at 900 4th Avenue, Suite 1, Audubon, IA 50025. Phone (712) 563-4248. Fax (712) 563-4809. The following files require
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