EQIP Conservation Activity Plans
 

The 2008 Farm Bill includes provisions to support conservation planning through development of Conservation Activity Plans under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

A conservation activity plan (CAP) is a specialized and detailed plan designed to address concerns associated with a narrowly defined resource. A CAP meets all NRCS conservation planning standards and addresses requirements including cultural resources and regulations outlined in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). CAPs are most applicable for those who want to undertake a higher level of resource management for a specific purpose.

In Oregon, NRCS is accepting applications from landowners and operators requesting assistance to develop:

• Forest Management Activity Plans: site specific conservation plans prepared by a professional forester. The plan identifies and describes in detail the management actions and conservation practices that will help the landowner meet their objectives, maintain production, meet regulatory requirements, and enhance soil, water, air, plants, fish, and wildlife resources.
• Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans (CNMP): conservation plans developed to address all resource aspects of an animal feeding operation. As defined by NRCS, a CNMP is a grouping of conservation practices and management activities that, when implemented, will ensure both production and natural resource protection goals are achieved. A CNMP will identify and address natural resource concerns in regards to soil, water, air, plants, animals, and people on the farm. The potential impacts of soil erosion and manure on water quality are a key natural resource concern.

How It Works

A landowner or producer may submit an EQIP application for financial assistance to offset the development cost of a detailed Forest Management Activity Plan or a CNMP. Participants must enroll in EQIP before their Conservation Activity Plan is developed; payment for a CAP is not retroactive.

1. A producer applies for EQIP assistance for development of a CAP. To be considered for funding, applicants must meet the eligibility requirements for EQIP. In addition, producers are allowed only one CAP on the same acreage at a time.
2. If approved for funding, the producer will select an approved conservation planner to develop the plan from TechReg, the online registry of certified Technical Service Providers: http://techreg.usda.gov/index.aspx. Potential applicants should visit the TechReg Web site before they submit an application. In order to receive funding for a conservation activity plan, a qualified TSP registered in TechReg must be available.
3. The CAP must be developed by the Technical Service Provider within 12 months.
4. After the CAP is complete, the landowner or producer submits it to NRCS. After NRCS approves the completed plan, the landowner will receive the EQIP payment for plan development. Set payment rates for CAPs are not more than 75% of the estimated incurred cost of plan development. The following is a 2009 list of CAP rates for Forest Management Activity Plans and CNMPs:

The document below requires Microsoft Excel

2012 EQIP CAP Payment Rates - Coming Soon

Program Benefits for Historically Underserved Clients

EQIP provides enhanced benefits to historically underserved program participants. Historically underserved refers to groups that have not participated in or have received limited benefits through USDA programs. Click here for more information about historically underserved clients.

The document below requires Microsoft Excel

2012 EQIP CAP Payment Rates for Historically Underserved Clients - Coming Soon

5. After the CAP is finalized, the producer may choose to submit another EQIP application for financial and technical assistance to implement conservation measures described in the CAP.

Contact

For more information or to discuss other opportunities for EQIP conservation assistance, please contact the District Conservationist in the USDA Service Center nearest your property.

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