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Overview of New York Environmental Quality Incentives Program Air Quality Initiative (AQ) 2009

What is the EQIP Air Quality Initiative?

The EQIP Air Quality (AQ) Initiative is a new initiative authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill to implement practices to address air quality concerns from agricultural operations, based on the air quality concerns in the State. The Air Quality Initiative is a subset of the EQIP.

EQIP is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to eligible agricultural producers who are willing to address priority environmental issues by implementing conservation practices. It is administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

• Am I eligible?

• What are the eligible practices?

• What is the funding?

• How are payment levels determined?

• In what counties is the EQIP Air Quality Initiative offered?

• Are there options for historically underserved farmers?

• What are the Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) requirements?

• What are the contract obligations?

• What do I need to do to apply?

• What do I do next?

• How can I find out more?

Am I eligible?

Producers, in selected counties, engaged in livestock or crop production on eligible land may apply for the program. Eligible land includes cropland, pasture, private non-industrial forestland and other farmland as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture. Applicants must meet eligibility for Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) certification and be in compliance with the Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation Provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985 as amended.

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What are the eligible practices?

EQIP Air Quality applications will focus on addressing ozone resource concerns in New York. The list of eligible practices are:

• Waste Facility Cover with Methane Flare (367)

• Solid/Liquid Waste Separation Facility (632)

• Agrichemical Handling Facility (309)

More information about Conservation Practices can be found at the USDA NRCS Electronic Field Office Technical Guide (eFOTG).

 

For a complete list of eligible conservation practices, please refer to the table of Payment Schedules on this page.

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What is the funding?

EQIP payments are limited to $300,000 per individual or entity from 2009-2014, regardless of the number of farms or contracts.

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How are payment levels determined?

Each eligible conservation practice has a Practice Payment Rate (PPR) which is a fixed amount based on a percentage of the state average cost of a typical installation of that practice.

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Map of New York Counties with 2009 EQIP Air Quality Initiative (PDF; 351 KB)

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In what counties is the EQIP Air Quality Initiative offered?

The EQIP Air Quality Initiative is available in the following counties in New York State: Albany, Chautauqua, Dutchess, Erie, Essex, Genesee, Greene, Jefferson, Livingston, Monroe, Montgomery, Nassau, New York, Niagara, Ontario, Orange, Orleans, Putnam, Rensselaer, Richmond, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Suffolk, Wayne and Westchester.

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Map of New York Counties with 2009 EQIP Air Quality Initiative (PDF; 351 KB)

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Are there options for historically underserved farmers?

The 2008 Farm Bill offers program opportunities for "Historically Underserved" individuals and groups. The Practice Payment rate for "Historically Underserved" is higher than the general rate.

These groups are:

• Socially Disadvantaged Groups

• Limited Resource Farmers and Ranchers

• Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

• Indian Tribes

To learn more, please visit our Web page, Opportunities for Historically Underserved Clients.

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What are the CNMP requirements?

A current Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) is not required prior to application for Waste Facility Cover with Methane Flare (367), and Solid/Liquid Waste Separation Facility (632), however producers with CNMPs will receive additional points in the application ranking process. For more information regarding the CNMPs, contact your local USDA NRCS office.

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What are the contract obligations?

EQIP-AQ contracts are limited to a maximum of six years in length. At least one practice from the contract must be started in the first twelve months, and no practices may be scheduled in the last year of the contract. Producers can be held financially liable for unfulfilled contracts.

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What do I need to do to apply?

You need to sign form NRCS-CPA-1200, Conservation Program Application. Applications for 2009 must be received by May 1, 2009. Forms are available at your local USDA NRCS office or you can download the form.

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NRCS CPA-1200, Conservation Program Application (PDF; 33 KB)

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What do I do next?

After applying at your local NRCS office, an NRCS conservationist will help you finalize a conservation plan, including selecting conservation practices. Your application will be ranked based upon national, state ranking criteria. You will be notified once funding decisions have been made.

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How can I find out more?

Contact your local USDA NRCS office, or visit the NRCS New York Web site.

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EQIP Air Quality Incentive - Fact Sheet (PDF; 105 KB)
A printable version of the information presented on this Web page. Does not include Payment Schedules.

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