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Emmet 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 Emmet County has been set for May 21, 2009. A third EQIP sign-up cutoff date for Emmet County is 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 Emmet County resource concerns to be addressed by EQIP:

  • Water Quality - Excess Nutrients & Organics in Surface Water

  • Water Quality - Excess Suspended Sediments and Turbidity in Surface Water

  • Water Quality – Excess Nutrients & Organics in Groundwater

  • Water Quantity – Inefficient Water Use on Irrigated Land.

  • Soil Condition - Contaminants Animal Waste & Other Organics (N, P, K) 

  • Soil Condition – Organic Matter Depletion

  • Soil Erosion - Sheet and Rill

  • Soil Erosion - Ephemeral Gully

  • Soil Erosion - Classic Gully

  • Soil Erosion - Wind

  • Soil Erosion – Streambank

  • Domestic Animals – Inadequate quantities and quality of feed and forage

  • Domestic Animals - Inadequate Stock Water

  • Fish & Wildlife - Inadequate Cover/Shelter

  • Fish & Wildlife - Inadequate Food

  • Fish & Wildlife - Threatened and Endangered Species

  • Plant Condition - Plant Productivity, Health, Vigor

  • Plant Condition - Forage Quality & Palatability

  • Plant Condition – Noxious and Invasive Plants

  • Air Quality – Objectionable Odor

  • Air Quality – Particulate Matter < 2.5 micrometers

  • Air Quality – Excessive Greenhouse Gas – CO2

These resource concerns address the following National EQIP priorities:

  1. Reduce soil erosion and sedimentation from unacceptable levels on agricultural land

  2. 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 reduction of point sources such as contamination from confined animal feeding operations.

  3. Promote wildlife habitat for at-risk species.

  4. 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.

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. The local work group also identified watersheds where funding should be emphasized based on the Iowa section 303d Impaired Waters List. This list includes Ingham/High Lake, Tuttle Lake, Trumbull Lake, and designated sections of the East Fork of the Des Moines River. 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.

Applications for the fiscal year 2009 continuous EQIP signup can be completed at the Emmet County NRCS office. Applications will be selected based on the total points received using the local, state, and national ranking questionnaire and fund availability. The EQIP contract is carried out according to a conservation plan developed in conjunction with the producer. This plan identifies the appropriate system of conservation practices to address the resources of concern. The minimum contract length is one year after the implementation of the last scheduled practice with a maximum length of ten years.

Waste Storage Facilities will be limited to $50,000 per producer. Incentive payments for certain practices will be from two to three years depending on the practice. Historically underserved producers will receive a higher payment rate.

For more information on EQIP and other NRCS administrated programs, contact the Emmet County USDA Service Center located at 2109 Murray Road, Estherville, IA 51334.  Phone (712) 362-2883. Fax (712) 362-7243.

The following files require Acrobat Reader.

EQIP Practice List - 2009
EQIP Application Ranking - 2009
EQIP Nutrient Management Intensity Options - 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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