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Title II – Conservation Environmental Quality Incentives Program and other Conservation Programs

This presentation focuses on the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) established in the 1996 Farm Bill and updated in the 2002 Farm Bill. It discusses EQIP's key features, including eligibility, funding, and changes made in 2002, such as expanded incentives for various crops and improved water conservation efforts. The presentation also highlights other conservation programs like the Wetlands Reserve Program, Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program, and Farmland Protection Program. The aim is to provide insights into how these programs support agricultural land sustainability and environmental enhancement.

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Title II – Conservation Environmental Quality Incentives Program and other Conservation Programs

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  1. Title II – ConservationEnvironmental Quality Incentives Program and other Conservation Programs 2002 Farm Bill Education Conference Kansas City, Missouri May 20-21, 2002 Andy Seidl Colorado State University

  2. Title II: Conservation Presentation Focus: • Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Also: • Wetlands Reserve Program • Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program • Farmland Protection Program • Small Watershed Rehabilitation Program • Desert Terminal Lakes Program

  3. Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) 1996 vs 2002 • Overview • Priority areas • Eligibility • Funding/Payments

  4. Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) • Established 1996 Farm Bill • Voluntary program addressing soil, water & other natural resource concerns on agricultural lands. • Administered by NRCS, funding through CCC, facilitated by FSA • Technical & financial assistance for… • regulatory compliance, • environmental enhancement, • conservation planning. • 5X over subscribed.

  5. 1996 Environmental Quality Incentives Program Details • 5-10 yr contracts & conservation plans •  75% cost share for conservation practices • Grassed waterways --Filter strips • Manure mgmt facilities --Capping wells • Incentive payments for land mgmt ( 3yr) • Nutrient mgmt --Manure mgmt • Irrigation water mgmt --IPM

  6. EQIP Priority Areas • Local CD identifies & proposes, State Conservationist prioritizes •  65% of funds spent in priority areas • Watersheds, regions or areas of special environmental sensitivity or… • Areas of special soil, water, or related natural resource concerns • Soil erosion --Water quality/quantity • Wildlife habitat --Wetlands • Forest lands --Grazing lands.

  7. 1996 EQIP: Eligibility • Livestock or ag producers on targeted lands. • No cost share for CAFO waste mgmt facilities, but eligible for other assistance • Total cost share & incentives  $10K/yr & $50K/contract.

  8. 1996 EQIP Funding • FY1996-2001 $1.3 billion • FY2001 $200 million • $158 million financial assistance • $3 million educational assistance • $38 million technical assistance •  50% to livestock operations •  50% to irrigation water management for soil erosion reduction and water quality improvements.

  9. 2002 EQIP Funding • $9 billion total budget • Ramp to $1.3 billion/yr by 2007 (6X) •  60% to livestock operations •  40% to crop producers. • 1-10 yr contracts. • $450,000 payment cap, 2002-07. • 90% Cost share for limited resource or beginning farmer/rancher

  10. 2002 EQIP: Other Changes • Incentives expanded to annual & perennial crops and CNMPs • Incentive payments emphasize residue, nutrient, pest, invasive species and air quality mgmt. • Applied research support. • Ranking based upon national conservation priorities. • CAFOs are eligible for all parts of program.

  11. 2002 EQIP: Water Conservation Program • Cost share assistance and incentive payments to conserve ground and surface water • Emphasis on irrigation efficiency & dryland alternatives. • $600 million total • $50 million for Klamath Basin

  12. Perspectives on EQIP • Producers generally in favor of voluntary incentive-based environmental programs. • Producers not supportive of regulatory solutions. • Environmental lobby generally supportive of EQIP, but also regulatory programs. • Both concerned regarding relaxed payment caps and unrestricted eligibility. • High profile with CWA & CAA Revisions

  13. Perspectives on EQIP

  14. EQIP Resources • USDA Farm Bill site: http://www.usda.gov/farmbill/ • NRCS EQIP site: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/ • Farm Foundation Publications and National Producers’ Survey site: http://www.farmfoundation.org/2002_farm_bill.htm • Environmental Working Group Database: http://www.ewg.org/

  15. Other Conservation Programs • Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) • Cap increased from 1.075 to 2.275 million acres • $1.5 billion total. • http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/farmbill/2002/pdf/WRPFct.pdf • Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) • Cost share payments to provide wildlife habitat • 1.6 million acres in program • Budget 10X to $700 million • http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/farmbill/2002/pdf/WHIPFct.pdf

  16. WRP Acres

  17. Other Conservation Programs: Farmland Protection Plan • USDA partners with state, tribal & local organizations to acquire conservation easements. • Matching funds (up to 50%) for 30 yr to perpetual conservation easements. • Mandatory conservation plan (particularly highly erodible lands). • Budget 20X to $985 million

  18. Other Conservation Programs: Farmland Protection Plan • Targets: • prime, unique, productive soils or historical or archeological resources • Privately owned • Part of an existing protection program • Large enough to sustain agricultural production • Accessible to markets • Surrounded by compatible uses. • Fact sheet: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/farmbill/2002/pdf/FPPFct.pdf

  19. Other Conservation Programs • Small Watershed Rehabilitation Program • Rehabilitates small watershed flood prevention dams • $275 million total. • Desert terminal lakes • Provides funding to help conserve lakes. • $200 million total.

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