NRCS Colorado 2008 News Release

Lakewood, CO - The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is encouraging Colorado’s landowners to apply for enrollment into the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) by November 2, 2007.  Landowners are urged to meet with their local NRCS field office to discuss their land use and natural resource goals as NRCS offers conservation programs which provide financial and technical assistance to help them reach those objectives.

“We’re encouraging landowners to apply now because we want to be proactive and expeditious in assisting them in reaching their goals. NRCS staff knowledge of the current Farm Bill programs can be useful to landowners,” says Tim Carney, NRCS Assistant State Conservationist for Programs, Lakewood, CO.  “The new 2007 Farm Bill is currently being drafted and may include changes to current Farm Bill programs.”

NRCS offers landowners technical support and programs which provide financial assistance on a continuous basis.  Therefore, landowners may come in at anytime to seek support and apply for enrollment in a program.  “Although many of our programs, including the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) have open enrollment periods, we establish signup timeframes so that the program may be more appropriately administered,” says Dollie Gonzales, NRCS EQIP Program Coordinator, Lakewood, CO.  “That’s another reason we are encouraging landowners to visit with their local NRCS field staff and apply by November 2, 2007.”

Applying now ensures that all applications received prior to November 2, 2007, will be reviewed and evaluated on the current Farm Bill program’s eligibility requirements.  “NRCS will manage and administer the new 2007 Farm Bill upon its passes as we have every other Farm Bill in the past and we are confident that this new Bill will continue to assist landowners in their stewardship efforts to conserve natural resources,” Carney further states. “We do, however, have the opportunity to enroll people into programs today, under rules and regulations that our employees have been working with for the past five years affording a greater understanding of the programs which may translate into a greater opportunity for more expeditious service.”

For additional information about apply for NRCS programs, please contact your local NRCS field office or your local Conservation District typically located within the USDA service center that services your county or visit our website at http://www.co.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/index.html to help locate the office that may assist you.

 

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