EQIP PROGRAM IN BUFFALO COUNTY, WISCONSIN FY 2009
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program offers financial assistance to producers to
implement conservation practices. NRCS determines eligible producers for the EQIP
program. Eligible land is determined by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and
is based on an identified resource concern. Eligible producers may apply for financial
assistance on conservation practices that will address the identified resource concerns.
Interested producers may apply in person at the Buffalo County USDA Natural Resource
Conservation Service office. Applicants may also request EQIP assistance by telephone,
FAX, e-mail, or letter. (A signed application must be received no later than the close of
business on January 30, 2009). Send to: USDA-NRCS, PO BOX 88 Alma, WI 54610 or
call 608-685-4454 EXT. 101 or EXT 109.
Priority Resource Concerns: In Buffalo County for 2009, the Local Work Group
(LWG) has identified the following resource concerns as being the top priority for cost
share assistance:
1) Soil Erosion was identified as the highest priority of concern in Buffalo
County. Sheet and rill erosion along with ephemeral erosion are the main
concerns. The sedimentation into water bodies is also a concern related to this
issue.
2) Soil Quality with excessive classic gully erosion, ephemeral gully erosion, and
streambank erosion as the identified problems. Continuous row cropping is
one of the leading contributing factors to this problem. The loss and lack of
maintenance of grassed waterways is another significant reason for this.
3) Forest Health with control of box elder and buckthorn the concern. Existing
undesirable species need to be treated and prevent them from producing seed.
With proper management, these species can be prevented from becoming a
problem.
4) Surface Water Quality with animal waste runoff from fields as the concern.
Animal waste that is spread in fields needs to be treated as a nutrient resource,
not a waste product.
5) Surface Water Quality with streambank and shoreline erosion and
degradation. Cattle are the main concern with the degradation of the
streambanks.
Eligible Practices and Incentive Payments: See the attachment posted on the website
for Buffalo County.
Application Period: Applications may be taken today, until the close of business on
January 30, 2009.
Ranking: Scoring of all eligible applications will be done after the application period
cutoff date has passed. Scoring of the applications will be done according to the
Application Evaluation Scoring Sheet for Buffalo County posted on this web page.
Applications will be selected for plan development and contracting in ranked order
according to the score as available funds allow.
Applications from lands located in the Lower Trempeauleau River Watershed or Bennett
Valley Watershed will receive ranking points as determined by the Local Work Group. If
insufficient funds are available to fund all eligible applications, applications will be held
and may be reranked with any subsequently received applications during FY 2009 if
another application ranking period is announced.
CLARIFICATION:
“High Erosion” on the evaluation worksheet is defined as greater than the tolerable
amount for that soil map unit.