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(NRCS) Natural Resources Conservation Service (EQIP) Environmental Quality Incentives Program How to Apply for a NRCS High Tunnel Grant We walk you through the application process, explaining the documents and what to expect as you go. (e) An EQIP plan of operations on forest land must implement conservation practices consistent with an approved forest management plan. (d) The NRCS National Headquarters makes a grant or cooperative agreement award after the Chief selects a grantee and the grantee agrees to the terms and conditions of the NRCS grant or cooperative agreement document. (3) Other factors related to the organization's likelihood to succeed or the proposed trial's likelihood to fulfill the purpose of OFCIT, as determined by the Chief. Brings together partners to expand the reach of NRCS conservation programs. (3) The participant must expend advanced funds for practice implementation within 90 days from receipt of funds or return the funds to NRCS within a reasonable time as determined by NRCS. Determination in matters of general applicability, such as payment rates, payment limits, the designation of identified priority resource concerns, and eligible conservation practices are not subject to appeal. Cover crops have great potential to improve soil health, improve water quality, sequester carbon, and make our farms more resilient to severe climate events. (646), Short Term Storage of Animal Waste and Byproducts (Cubic Yards) (318), Stream Habitat Improvement and Management (Ac.) (b) NRCS will make special outreach to eligible producers with historically low participation rates, including but not restricted to, limited resource, socially disadvantaged, small-scale, beginning farmers or ranchers, veteran farmers or ranchers, Indian Tribes, Alaska Natives, and Pacific Islanders. is available with paragraph structure matching the official CFR (c) The State Conservationist determines the funding level for the State CIG competition and creates a review process for applications that considers various relevant criteria, including any potential conflicts of interest. Conservation Practice Standards | Natural Resources Conservation Service Navigate by entering citations or phrases You must use the conservation practice standard adopted and modified for use by the state in which you are working to ensure that you meet all state and local criteria, which may be more restrictive than national criteria. (b) Participants may obtain technical services from certified TSPs in accordance with 7 CFR part 652. fKTzKR[3EEUGU}sA{ALY2yaO)!`o;'XqKkQkA DTyQC78dSv$zdtO\{,rxZ,}?- \C3/&1W5J>s"\]db$b.,A` $3qjl4 e1A2Q,iCdZ t1$Xs+8 *o@ x~+3}+9u_tDcY =%YUKnCq <>>> (c) Termination of the incentive contract. Updates include nationwide availability of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Conservation Incentive Contracts option, a new and streamlined EQIP Cover Crop Initiative, and added flexibilities for producers to easily re-enroll in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). (b) EQIP participants may assign any payments in accordance with part 1404 of this chapter. SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. (Aug. 1, 2023) The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Washington announced Oct. 20, 2023 as the application batching deadline for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Classic for Fiscal Year 2024. Under the general EQIP payment process, a producer is reimbursed after a conservation practice is certified as meeting NRCS standards and specifications. Climate Change Mitigation Practice Categories Code Conservation Practice CSPStandard Name[2] (units) Enhancement Code Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) Bundle and Enhancement Activity . Through these contracts, works with producers to strengthen the quality and condition of natural resources on their operations using management practices, such as irrigation water management, drainage water management, feed management and residue and tillage management that target resource concerns, including degraded soil and water quality, available water and soil erosion. Watch our Conservation at Workvideo series to hear about the benefits of conservation practices directly from the farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners applying them. Choosing an item from NRCS-WA announces FY'24 EQIP Classic batching deadline (4) Specify any other provision determined necessary or appropriate by NRCS to achieve the technical requirements of a practice or purposes of the program. Just make your way through each of the tabs below. and resource concern planning cri teria for that assessment. (d) If an EQIP plan of operations includes an animal waste storage or treatment facility to be implemented on an AFO, the participant must agree to: (1) Develop a CNMP by the end of the contract period; and. the Farm Service Agency has established farm records for the submerged land . Learn about the information provided in conservation practice standards and supporting documents, such as overviews, worksheets, and network effects diagrams. (1) Notwithstanding paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, NRCS may enter into an EQIP contract with a water management entity provided the criteria in paragraphs (d)(1)(i), (ii), and (iii) of this section can be met: (i) The entity is a public or semipublic agency or organization, (ii) Its purpose is to assist private agricultural producers manage water distribution or conservation systems, and. (C) A water management entity for which NRCS has approved a payment limitation waiver. An EQIP contract is a binding agreement for the transfer of assistance from USDA to the participant to share in the costs of implementing conservation practices. A Federal technical representative designated by NRCS will provide technical oversight for grant projects. (1) The extent to which the organization conducts business that is related to agriculture; (2) The quantity and quality of experience the organization has working with agricultural producers; or. In this document, each NRCS resour ce concern is listed with a description of the concern and the objective in treating the concern. Applications for NRCS conservation programs are ranked and funded at key times throughout the year. (1) An OFCIT agreement shall be for a period of at least 3 years, unless the Chief determines that a longer period is necessary. (iv) Is geographically targeted to address a natural resource concern in a specific watershed. (a) The purpose of Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) is to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies, including field research, while leveraging Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection in conjunction with agricultural production. (d) The Chief, in consultation with the State Technical Committee, shall identify up to three priority resource concerns for each land use within a given high priority area. The regulations governing offsets and withholdings found at part 1403 of this chapter will be applicable to contract payments. (eg: Assistance to inventory and analyze farm systems that use energy and identify ways to improve efficiency through an Agricultural Energy Management Plan. In fiscal 2021, NRCS provided technical and financial assistance to help producers plant 2.3 million acres of cover crops through EQIP. (450), Bivalve Aquaculture Gear and Biofouling Control (Ac.) (6) NRCS may provide payments for conservation practices on some or all of the operations of a participant related to organic production and the transition to organic production. PDF Environmental Quality Incentives Program (b) Contract terms. (c) NRCS will annually publish detailed guidance on how to apply for the grants competition(s) to address announced national or State program priorities. (643), Road/Trail/Landing Closure and Treatment (Ft.) (654), Saline and Sodic Soil Management (Ac.) NRCS accepts applications for conservation programs including EQIP and CSP year-round, however producers and landowners should apply by state-specific, signup dates to be considered for each years funding. (c) Small businesses may retain the principal worldwide patent rights to any invention developed with the support of USDA. (3) Financial assistance to a participating producer (either directly or through an eligible entity) that may include payments to compensate for income foregone, as appropriate to address the increased economic risk potentially associated with new or innovative conservation approaches: (j) Absence of payment limitation. States include Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and South Dakota. (1) Demonstrate the use of innovative approaches and technologies to leverage Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection, in conjunction with agricultural production; (2) Promote innovative on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations of promising approaches or technologies; (3) Lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches (such as market-based systems) into NRCS technical manuals and guides or to the private sector. When considering whether to enroll the land of a producer under an OFCIT agreement, NRCS first determines that. (c) The Board reviews the peer review panel evaluations and considers review comments from State Conservationists. [84 FR 69280, Dec. 17, 2019, as amended at 85 FR 67647, Oct. 26, 2020]. (3) May give priority for applications that include water conservation or irrigation-related practices, and consistent with State law in which the applicant's eligible land is located, if the application, (i) Results in a reduction in water use in the agricultural operation, or. Learn about the conservation needs and latest updates in your state, and access needed resources. %.mi0tP`[h| %E_MMl v;SuIaA (2) Applicants must provide non-federal funding at least equal to the amount of federal funds requested. For Federal Register citations to regulations affecting previous program years not included in this volume, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov. (1) NRCS may allow a participant in a contract terminated in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section to retain a portion of any payments received appropriate to the effort the participant has made to comply with the contract, or in cases of hardship, when forces beyond the participant's control prevented compliance with the contract. (b) Payment schedules. (2) In the case of a contract with an individual, individually, or with the immediate family, material and substantial participation requires that the individual provide substantial day-to-day labor and management of the farm or ranch, consistent with the practices in the county or State where the farm is located. USDA Offers Expanded Conservation Program Opportunities to Support Climate Smart Agriculture in 2022, More, Better, and New Market Opportunities, Download our Conservation Incentive Contracts fact sheet for a list of practices. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming Americas food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. NRCS applies sound engineering tools and principles to plan, design, and implement conservation practices and systems through delegated approval authority. (f) NRCS shall identify which practices qualify as incentive practices for each land use within each high priority area based on the priority resource concern(s) identified for that land use. (g) Projects or activities under CIG shall comply with all applicable Federal, Tribal, State, and local laws and regulations throughout the duration of the project. NRCS High Tunnel Initiative: All of Your Questions Answered National Resource Concern List and Planning Criteria - USDA FY 2023 EQIP GLRI Secondary Practice List Practice Code Agrichemical Handling Facility 309 Brush Management 314 Vegetative Barrier Riparian Forest Buffer 391 393 . Applicants with unfunded fiscal 2022 CSP renewals will receive letters this month, notifying them they are automatically eligible to apply for future CSP funding opportunities, rather than needing to wait two years to reapply. 1059g). NRCS updated CSP to allow an agricultural producer to immediately re-enroll in the program following an unfunded application to renew an existing contract. Nonindustrial private forest land (NIPF) means rural land, as determined by NRCS, that has existing tree cover or is suitable for growing trees; and is owned by any nonindustrial private individual, group, association, corporation, Indian Tribe, or other private legal entity that has definitive decision-making authority over the land. (b) NRCS expects the participant to operate and maintain each conservation practice installed under the contract for its intended purpose for the conservation practice lifespan as specified in the O&M agreement. (a) Land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is ineligible. (d) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (c) of this section, a contract termination is effective immediately upon a determination by NRCS that the participant. (c) Authority to reduce matching requirement. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. the hierarchy of the document. (5) When NRCS enters into a formal agreement with partners who provide financial support to help implement program initiatives, the Chief shall adjust NRCS program payment percentages to provide practice payment rates to an amount such that the total financial assistance to the participant from NRCS and the partner does not exceed the amount needed to encourage voluntary adoption of the practice. The selection of practices or activities documented on the EQIP schedule of operations must be based upon an agency approved conservation plan developed using NRCS planning procedures and technical standards. Conservation practice means one or more conservation improvements and activities, including structural practices, land management practices, vegetative practices, forest management practices, and other improvements that achieve the program purposes, including such items as CNMPs, agricultural energy management plans, dryland transition plans, forest management plans, soil testing, soil remediation, integrated pest management, and other plans or activities determined acceptable by the Chief. (b) The period determined as appropriate under paragraph (a) of this section shall not be less than 5 years nor exceed 10 years. (c) A high priority area may encompass an entire State or overlap with other high priority areas such that a given parcel of land may exist in multiple high priority areas. An OFCIT agreement with an eligible entity shall contain provisions indicating how NRCS or the eligible entity shall provide technical assistance to producers. One central entry point for you to access information and help from USDA, Conservation Compliance: Wetlands and Highly Erodible Land Provisions, Regional Conservation Partnership Program, Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program, Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, Research on the Use of Precision Ag Technologies for Cropland Phosphorus Management, Conservation Practice Standards Information, Conservation Practice Benefit-Cost Templates, Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP), View All Education and Teaching Materials, Learn more about the information provided by the standards and supporting documents, Agrichemical Handling Facility (No.) FY 2023 EQIP GLRI Core Practice List Conservation Cover 327 Conservation Crop Rotation 328 Residue and Tillage Management, No-Till 329 Table 1. The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) provides a yearly rental payment to farmers who remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and plant species that will improve environmental health and quality. Payments for Pollution: How federal conservation programs can - IATP EQIP plan of operations means the document that identifies the location, timing, and extent of conservation practices that the participant agrees to implement on eligible land enrolled in the program in order to address the priority resource concerns, optimize environmental benefits, and address program purposes as defined in 1466.1. NRCS asserts no direct or indirect interest on these credits. (2) Recommendations from the State Technical Committee and the Tribal Conservation Advisory Council may include but are not limited to: (i) Recommendations for program priorities and criteria; (ii) Identification of priority resource concerns; (iii) Recommendations about which conservation practices will be effective to treat identified priority resource concerns; and. A separate drafting site When are payments made? Program participation is voluntary. and Ac) (453), On-Farm Secondary Containment Facility (No.) These documents are referred to as Field Office Technical Guides (FOTGs). (644), Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment and Renovation (Ft.) (380), NRCS Environmental Evaluation CPA-52 Worksheet, Tools and Training. Through EQIP, you can voluntarily implement conservation practices, and NRCS co-invests in these practices with you. Conservation benefit means the improved condition of a natural resource concern resulting from the implementation of a conservation practice. Brings together partners and producers to protect wetlands. (e) An identification under paragraph (d) of this section of a priority resource concern for one land use shall not preclude NRCS from identifying the same priority resource concern for a different land use within the same high priority area. 7 CFR 1466.24 - EQIP payment restrictions and exceptions. Conservation and organics go hand-in-hand, and NRCS offers tools for organic farmers to improve their operations. (1) Be in compliance with the highly erodible land and wetland conservation provisions at 7 CFR part 12; (3) Have control of the land for the term of the proposed contract unless an exception is made by the Chief in the case of land administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Indian lands, or other instances in which the Chief determines sufficient assurance of control; (i) The Chief may determine that land administered by BIA, Indian land, or other such circumstances provides sufficient assurance of control, and. (4) Any participant whose EQIP contract is terminated under paragraph (d) of this section may be subject to debarment or suspension under 7 CFR part 1407. Comments or questions about document content can not be answered by OFR staff. (b) If, during the term of an EQIP contract, a participant has been found in violation of a provision of the EQIP contract, the O&M agreement, or any document incorporated by reference through failure to fully comply with that provision, the participant may be eligible for equitable relief under 7 CFR 635.4. (1) Uses a technology or approach that was studied sufficiently to indicate a high probability for success; (2) Demonstrates, evaluates, and verifies the effectiveness, utility, affordability, and usability of natural resource conservation technologies and approaches in the field; (3) Adapts and transfers conservation technologies, management, practices, systems, approaches, and incentive systems to improve performance and encourage adoption; or. (1) Notwithstanding paragraph (c) of this section, with respect to participants who are historically underserved producers, NRCS may issue advance payments of at least 50 percent and not to exceed 100 percent of the anticipated amount of the costs incurred for the purpose of purchasing materials or services to implement a conservation practice. (333), Amendments for Treatment of Agricultural Waste (au) (591), Anionic Polyacrylamide (PAM) Application (Ac.) Technical guides are the primary scientific references for NRCS. Indian Tribe means any Indian Tribe, band, nation, pueblo, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. (b) The participant is responsible for implementing the EQIP plan of operations according to the approved implementation schedule. (1) NRCS receives written notice that identifies the new producer who will take control of the acreage, as required in paragraph (e) of this section; (2) The new producer meets program eligibility requirements within a reasonable time frame, as specified in the EQIP contract; (3) The new producer agrees to assume the rights and responsibilities for the acreage under the contract; and. Knowing the benefits and cost of conservation activities is essential to making good decisions and investments that are cost effective. Unit_Cost Cost_T ype Share_Rate: 102 EQIP Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan - Written: . An OFCIT agreement may be between either NRCS and a producer or NRCS and an eligible entity. (638), Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management (Ac.) NRCS may designate as eligible watershed-wide projects that effectively conserve water, using the criteria in paragraphs (c)(1) through (3) of this section: (1) The project area has a current, comprehensive water resource assessment; and. (d) Upon the development of a new technology or management approach that provides a high potential for optimizing conservation benefits, NRCS may approve an interim conservation practice standard that incorporates the new technology or management approach and provide financial assistance for pilot work to evaluate and assess the performance, efficiency, and effectiveness of the new technology or management approach. (x) Other locally defined pertinent factors, such as the location of the conservation practice, the extent of natural resource degradation, and the degree of cooperation by local producers to achieve environmental improvements. States were selected for this initial pilot based on their demonstrated demand for additional support for the cover crop practice. The NRCS representative will make an effort to contact the participant prior to the exercising this provision. (3) Periodically review and update the national priorities utilizing input from the public, Indian Tribes, other Federal and State agencies, and affected stakeholders to ensure that the program continues to address priority resource concerns. State conservationist means the NRCS employee authorized to implement EQIP and direct and supervise NRCS activities in a State and the Caribbean and Pacific Island Areas. Each contract enrolled into EQIP, is subject to the regulations in effect on the date it is enrolled. (1) The extent to which the proposed conservation approach makes use of new or innovative conservation practices, systems, or technology; (2) The extent to which the proposed conservation approach applies conservation practices, systems, or technology in new or innovative ways, geographic regions, or agricultural sectors; or. (3) When determining whether to set a contract period longer than 3 years, NRCS shall consider whether such a period is appropriate including whether the period supports, (i) Adaptive management over multiple crops years; and. 1601 et seq.) Operation includes the administration, management, and performance of nonmaintenance actions needed to keep the completed practice functioning as intended. result, it may not include the most recent changes applied to the CFR. State-level conservation innovation grant component. You can learn more about the process (2) Technical infrastructure, including activities, processes, tools, and agency functions needed to support delivery of technical services, such as technical standards, resource inventories, training, education, data, technology, monitoring, and effects analyses. The initiative is aimed at improving soil health through a targeted, rapid, and streamlined application and contract approval process. Official websites use .gov k:!. (f) NRCS may terminate a contract that provides payments to a participant for conservation practices related to organic production, if NRCS determines that the participant is not implementing practices according to provisions of the contract agreement or does not meet provisions of this part. PDF Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) PDF 2017 EQIP Cost List Practice Cost Share P Cost T - USDA Forest management plan means a site-specific plan that is prepared according to NRCS criteria by a professional resource manager, in consultation with the participant, and is approved by NRCS. 2017 EQIP Cost List Practice_ Code Cost_Share_P rogram Practice_Name Component Unit_Type. Participants who carry out conservation practices will be responsible for obtaining the authorities, rights, easements, permits, or other approvals necessary for the implementation, operation, and maintenance of the conservation practices in keeping with applicable laws and regulations. (2) Crops, vegetation, forage growth, or post-harvest residues are not sustained in the normal growing season over any portion of the lot or facility. (c) Applicability. An official website of the United States government. (a) General guidelines. (372), Contour Orchard and Other Perennial Crops (Ac.) Comprehensive nutrient management plan (CNMP) means a conservation plan that is specifically for an AFO. PDF Eligible Practice List - Natural Resources Conservation Service To apply, producers should contact their local USDA Service Center. (8) Energy conservation to help save fuel, improve efficiency of water use, maintain production, and protect soil and water resources by more efficiently using fertilizers and pesticides. Conservation Incentive Contracts address priority resource concerns, including sequestering carbon and improving soil health in high-priority areas. The program provides assistance for new and existing organic producers to implement conservation practices new to their farm, including conservation crop rotations, cover cropping, nutrient management, pest management, prescribed grazing, and forage harvest management.