Calhoun County EQIP

EQIP applications are accepted on a continuous basis. However, each locality has a cutoff date for ranking applications, the first of which was March 27, 2009. A subsequent cutoff date to rank additional new applications for Calhoun County has been set for June 26, 2009.

The 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 Calhoun County resource concerns to be addressed by EQIP:

• Water Quality – Excessive Nutrients and Organics in Surface water and Groundwater; Harmful Levels of Pesticides in Surface water and Groundwater
• Soil Erosion – Sheet & Rill; Ephemeral Gully; Classic Gully
• Soil Condition – Organic Matter Depletion, Contaminants – animal waste and other organics (N,P,K)
• Air Quality – Objectionable Odors, Excessive Greenhouse Gas (CH4), Particulate Matter (PM 2.5, PM 10)
• Plant Condition – Forage Quality and Palatability; Productivity, Health and Vigor
• Domestic Animals – Inadequate quantities and quality of feed and forage, Inadequate Stock Water
• Fish & Wildlife – inadequate cover/shelter, Inadequate food,
• T &E species

The locally led group identified the land within one mile of the Raccoon River or land within 6 miles of North/South Twin Lakes as priority watershed areas. These watersheds and water bodies experience water quality and soil erosion resource concerns as shown above in items A & B.

These resource concerns address the following National EQIP priorities:  

1. Reduction of non-point source pollution, such as nutrients, sediment, pesticides, or excess salinity in impaired watersheds consistent with Total Maximum Loads (TMDLs), where available, as well as the reduction of groundwater contamination and reduction of point sources such as contamination from confined animal feeding operations.
2. Reduction of emissions, such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds, and ozone precursors and depleters that contribute to air quality impairment violations of National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
3. Reduction in soil erosion and sedimentation from unacceptable high levels on agricultural land.
4. Promotion of at-risk species habitat conservation.

The goal of the locally led group was to recommend a ranking system that rewarded and gave priority to those producers that address the above resource concerns and the Raccoon River Corridor. 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. Initial EQIP funds will be allocated based on the following percentage unless requests are not received to fully obligate funds within that resource concern.

• 45%     Livestock Resource Concerns
• 45%     Soil & Water Resource Concerns
• 10%     Air Resource Concerns

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 Calhoun County USDA Service Center located at 905 High Street, Suite 1, Rockwell City, IA  50579. Phone (712) 297-7824. Fax (712) 297-5509.

The following files require Acrobat Reader.

EQIP Practice List - 2009
EQIP Application Ranking - 2009   

EQIP Practice List - 2008    For Archival Purposes Only
EQIP Application Ranking - 2008    For Archival Purposes Only
EQIP Nutrient Management Intensity Options - 2008    For Archival Purposes Only

EQIP Practice List - 2007    For Archival Purposes Only
EQIP Application Ranking - 2007    For Archival Purposes Only
EQIP Nutrient Management Intensity Options - 2007    For Archival Purposes Only

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