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NRCS Colorado Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) - 2010

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) was reauthorized in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Farm Bill) to provide a voluntary conservation program for farmers and ranchers that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible national goals.  EQIP offers financial and technical help to assist eligible participants install or implement structural and management practices on eligible agricultural land.  Additional information about this environmental improvement program can be found on the NRCS National Website.  Or contact NRCS at your local USDA Service Center.
 

2010 Organic Initiative

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Colorado has $1.2 million in fiscal year 2010 set aside to assist organic farming operations and individuals transitioning to organic farming.

The 2008 Farm Bill highlights the availability of financial and technical assistance to help producers of all commodities meet their conservation goals, including producers transitioning to organic farming and currently certified organic producers. The assistance from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through the EQIP program helps producers plan and implement conservation practices to allow their organic operations to be environmentally sustainable. EQIP is primarily used to provide financial and technical assistance to implement conservation practices to address soil, water, air, plant, animal, and energy resources. A new organic provision targets organic producers and producers transitioning to organic production:

  • Assistance is for conservation practices related to organic production
  • Assistance is limited to $20,000 per year and $80,000 during a six year period
  • Producers are required to develop and carry out an Organic System Plan (OSP) or carry out practices consistent with an OSP
  • Producers must be pursing an organic certification or in compliance with their organic certification
The organic initiative opportunity is offered State wide and applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. To be considered for 2010 funding, applications will be accepted through April 16, 2010.

More information on this initiative is forthcoming.

2010 Air Quality Initiative

Colorado Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is assisting agricultural producers with reducing ozone precursors [oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC)] emissions from agricultural sources. The primary goal is to achieve and maintain the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) within the designated nonattainment areas of Colorado.

The NRCS is providing payments for participants implementing conservation practices on their lands that benefit air quality. The priority is to reduce emissions by removing existing, high polluting combustion systems and replacing with new, cleaner technologies. Funding for this initiative is provided through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.
Eligible counties for Air Quality Initiative

Listed below are the eligible counties and corresponding NAAQS nonattainment pollutants. This list is intended to identify those counties eligible for the Colorado 2010 Air Quality Initiative funding only and is not intended to limit the implementation of any accepted air quality practice.
 

County
NAAQS Nonattainment Pollutant
Adams 8-Hr Ozone
Arapahoe 8-Hr Ozone
Boulder 8-Hr Ozone
Broomfield 8-Hr Ozone
Denver 8-Hr Ozone
Douglas 8-Hr Ozone
Jefferson 8-Hr Ozone
Larimer 8-Hr Ozone
Weld 8-Hr Ozone

EQIP Sign-up Information On-Line

EQIP sign-up information is available online. On the Colorado Watershed Map, click on the geographic area where your farm or ranching interest is located. This will take you to the application information for that area, the ranking criteria used to evaluate your application, and a link to Applications for the EQIP program - NRCS-CPA-1200 and NRCS-CPA-1202.

Colorado Watershed Map
Click on your geographic area for more EQIP information

Watershed Map shows the 10 watershed areas in Colorado: North Platte, Colorado River, Gunnison Dolores Rivers, San Juan River Basin, Rio Grand River, Upper South Platte River, Upper Arkansas River, Lower South Platte, Republican River, and the Lower Arkansas Watershed

The above Colorado Watershed Map shows the following 10 watershed areas in Colorado:

 

Colorado EQIP Contacts

Tim Carney                                                                 Jodi Hastings
NRCS Colorado Assistant State Conservationist              NRCS Colorado EQIP Coordinator
655 Parfet Street, Room E200C                                     655 Parfet Street, Room E200C
Lakewood, CO 80215-5517                                           Lakewood, CO 80215-5517
Phone: 720.544.2805                                                   Phone: 720.544.2821
tim.carney@co.usda.gov                                               jodi.hastings@co.usda.gov

 

Last Modified: 02/08/2010