California 2012 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

Introduction to EQIP

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers. Eligible farmers and ranchers may apply for EQIP program benefits at any time. Application ranking periods are established to allow evaluation of projects and awarding of contracts based on criteria that evaluate the natural resource benefits as identified by local, state and national priorities. These contracts provide financial assistance to help implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns and for opportunities to improve soil, water, plant, animal, air and related resources on agricultural land and non-industrial private forestland. In addition, a purpose of EQIP is to help producers meet Federal, State, Tribal and local environmental regulations. EQIP cannot provide financial assistance for the same practice enrolled on the same land as any other USDA conservation program.

Who Can Apply for EQIP

Owners of land in agricultural or forest production or persons who are engaged in livestock, agricultural or forest production on eligible land and that have a natural resource concern on the land may participate in EQIP.

• Applicant Eligibility for EQIP
• Land Eligibility for EQIP

EQIP Sign-Up and Application Process

Applications for EQIP are accepted on a continuous basis. NRCS will establish application cutoff or submission deadline dates for evaluation and ranking of eligible applications.

Farmers and ranchers may apply for EQIP by submitting an application, Form NRCS-CPA-1200, Conservation Program Application at any NRCS field office by phone, email, fax, or letter.

Application Form and Instructions

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NRCS CPA-1200 Application Form For Participating Landowners (PDF; 43 KB)
NRCS CPA-1200 Application Form Instructions For Participating Landowners (PDF; 13 KB)

EQIP Application Cutoff Dates for Fiscal Years (FY) 2012 and 2013

How EQIP Works

EQIP provides financial assistance payments to eligible producers based on a portion of the average cost associated with practice implementation. Additional payments may be available to help producers develop conservation plans which are required to obtain financial assistance.

Historically underserved producers (limited resource farmers/ranchers, beginning farmers/ranchers, socially disadvantaged producers, Tribes) may be eligible for a higher practice payment rate for the implementation for conservation practices and conservation plans.

Producers may use a certified Technical Service Provider (TSP) for technical assistance needed for certain eligible activities, services and the development of conservation plans. Historically underserved producers may also be eligible for advance payments up to 30 percent of the cost needed to purchase materials or contracting services to begin installation of approved conservation practices.

NRCS works with the producer to develop a plan of operations that:

1. Identifies the appropriate conservation practice or measures needed to address identified natural resource concerns
2. Implements conservation practices and activities according to an EQIP plan of operations developed in conjunction with the producer that identifies the appropriate conservation practice or measures needed to address identified natural resource concerns. The practices are subject to NRCS technical standards adapted for local conditions.

Participants may not receive, directly or indirectly, payments that, in the aggregate, exceed $300,000 for all EQIP contracts entered into during any six-year period. Participants whose projects NRCS determines to have special environmental significance may petition the NRCS Chief for the payment limitation to be waived to a maximum of $450,000. Additional payment limitations apply to producers enrolled in the EQIP Organic Initiative.

National EQIP Initiatives - Fiscal Year 2012

• Air Quality
• On-Farm Energy
• Organic
• Seasonal High Tunnel

• America's Great Outdoors Initiative for Monterey Bay Conservation

• Sage Grouse Initiative

• Water Quality Initiative - Calleguas Creek Watersheds

• Water Quality Initiative - Garcia River Watersheds

• Water Quality Initiative - Salt River Watersheds

California EQIP Initiatives - Fiscal Year 2012

• Wildlife Initiative for Declining Species

• Wildlife Initiative for Tricolor Blackbird Habitat

• Bay Delta Initiative for French Camp Slough Watersheds

• Bay Delta Initiative for Lower Snake River

• Bay Delta Initiative for Middle San Joaquin River Watershed, East-side

• Bay Delta Initiative for Walker Creek Represented Area

• Bay Delta Initiative for Waterbird Habitat Enhancement

• European Grapevine Moth Initiative

• Water Conservation Initiative - Central California Irrigation District

• Water Conservation Initiative - Firebaugh Canal Water District

• Water Conservation Initiative - Henry Miller Reclamation District

• Water Conservation Initiative - Rancho California Water District

• Water Conservation Initiative - Tulare Irrigation District

Contacts

Alan Forkey, Program Manager
Phone: 530-792-5653
Email: Alan.Forkey@ca.usda.gov

Erik Beardsley, Program Specialist
Phone: 530-792-5649
Email: Erik.Beardsley@ca.usda.gov

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