Overview of New York Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program is a voluntary program that supports agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible goals and prioritizes environmental benefits. Through EQIP, farmers may receive financial and technical help with structural and management conservation practices on agricultural land.

New York State NRCS supports the locally led conservation effort in the delivery of conservation programs. The State Technical Committee, with its broad representation, serves as the primary group to assemble ideas and ultimately make recommendations to the NRCS State Conservationist for the development and coordination of USDA conservation programs.

The State Technical Committee utilizes sub committees to work on the details of program recommendations. The sub committees identify resource concerns, recommend practices, priorities, payment rates, cost-share levels and funding needs. Furthermore, an additional committee of field office level personnel was formed to guide the EQIP sub committee on ranking criteria consistent with program goals.

At the recommendation of the State Technical Committee, the following four resource concerns were identified as priorities for 2007.

• Reduction of nonpoint source pollutants

• Reduction of soil erosion and sedimentation

• Reduction of emissions

• Promotion of at-risk species habitat

A list of eligible practices was developed. Only those practices addressing any of the above priorities are on the list. Structural Practices are to be cost shared up to 50 or 75%, and for producers meeting the USDA definition of Limited Resource Producers are eligible for a 90% rate of cost share.

Ranking criteria was developed which was consistent with the above priorities, which helps to evaluate and prioritize EQIP applications.

Ranking points were awarded for installing conservation practices and carrying out management activities that have a positive effect on any or all of the four priorities. Practices on the approved New York EQIP conservation Practice List having multiple benefits may receive points in multiple areas.

For the 2007 year, EQIP funds will be allocated geographically to the thirteen major river basins in the state. All producers fall within one of the river basins. The sum of money allocated to each was adjusted proportionately based upon the amount of farmed land and animal units present as reported in the 2002 New York Census of Agriculture. Additional funding allocations have been held in reserve specifically for Limited Resource Producers.

While EQIP is a continuous signup program, New York State NRCS established ranking periods, to ensure adequate time to process applications, and ultimately sign contracts.

EQIP has and will continue to be a competitive program for the awarding of contracts.  In 2006, $11 Million dollars was available to producers in New York, to help them to address environmental concerns on their farms.

Eligibility

Any producer engaged in livestock or crop production on eligible land may apply for EQIP. Eligible land includes cropland; pastureland; private non-industrial forestland; and other farm lands as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture.

For More Information

Please contact NRCS at your local USDA Service Center.

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