Opinion

Application cutoff date for EQIP/WHIP is Jan. 15

Thursday, December 17, 2009

An application evaluation cutoff date of Jan. 15, 2010, for the Environmental Quality Incentives Programs (EQIP) and Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) under the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill) has been announced by Eric B. Banks, state conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Applications may be submitted anytime; however, applications will be gathered for ranking at that point.

Landowners and/or operators with eligible cropland, rangeland, or forestland with any EQIP/WHIP concerns listed below should apply at their local NRCS field office and work with them on a conservation plan. The office is located at your local USDA Service Center (listed in the telephone book under United States Government or on the Internet at offices.usda.gov).

The Natural Resource Concerns identified as priorities for Kansas EQIP are as follows:

* Air Quality - Objectionable Odors

* Domestic Animals -- Inadequate Stock Water

* Fish and Wildlife -- Threatened and Endangered Species, Declining Species, and Species of Concern

* Plant Condition -- Noxious or Invasive Plants; Productivity, Health, Vigor (Forestland, Rangeland, Pastureland, Hay Land)

* Soil Condition -- Organic Matter Depletion

* Soil Erosion -- Streambank

* Water Quality -- Excessive Nutrients/Organics in Ground and/or Surface Water, Excessive Suspended Sediment and Turbidity in Surface Water, Harmful Levels of Pesticides in Ground and/or Surface Water

* Water Quantity -- Aquifer Overdraft, Inefficient Water Use on Irrigated Land, Inefficient Water Use on Non-irrigated Land, and Insufficient Flows in Water Courses

Kansas WHIP wildlife priorities are as follows:

* Threatened and Endangered Species and Species in Need of Conservation

* Grassland Birds

* Natural Communities

"EQIP/WHIP are available to help address the unique circumstances and concerns of socially disadvantaged, limited resource, and beginning farmers and ranchers, who have natural resource concerns that need to be addressed on their land," said Banks.

"In Kansas socially disadvantaged, limited resource, and beginning farmers and ranchers will receive a higher payment rate through EQIP and WHIP for structural and vegetative practices."

EQIP is available for treating natural resource concerns on organic systems. Organic producers, or those transitioning to organic, may apply for EQIP to address their natural resource concerns during this period.

As information becomes available, it will be placed on the Kansas NRCS Web site www.ks.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/ or be available at your local USDA Service Center from the NRCS or conservation district staff.

Editor's Note: Doug Niemeir is the County Executive Director for the USDA/Farm Service Agency. He can be reached by emailing him at Douglas.Niemeir@ks.usda.gov