Idaho Bulletin 250-6-4

May 11, 2006

SUBJECT:  FNM - Policy on EQIP payments

TO:  All Employees, NRCS, Idaho

Purpose.  To outline policy for EQIP Payments

Expiration Date.  September 30, 2006

Background:  The NRCS Idaho State Office, Financial Management has been auditing and processing all the EQIP Payments.  The payment work load for the Financial Technician has increased significantly over the last couple of years as the program has grown.  Due to the increase in volume of payment work load, Financial Management has worked to develop a plan to process payments in a more efficient and timely manner.  The Leadership Team approved the training of two employees to assist in the auditing and processing of EQIP payments.

Idaho Policy

Beginning May 15, 2006, Sara Wernicke located at the Clearwater RC&D office in Moscow, Idaho, and Bonnie Long in Payette will audit and process for approval EQIP payments.  Sara will audit payment packages for Division I (Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, and Kootenai counties) and Idaho County in Division II.  All Division II and III except Payette and Idaho counties EQIP payments will be audited and processed by Bonnie.  Payette county and Divisions IV, V and VI will continue to be audited by Chris Bergmann in Financial Management.  Workload was divided based on an analysis of current number of contracts in each county and physical location.  Divisions I, II and III field offices should beginning sending their completed EQIP payment packages to the designated individual on May 12.

Field Offices are required to review the payment application (NRCS-1245) from the producer and ensure all supporting documentation is included and properly completed.  The Audit Checklist must be completed and included with each payment.

Final certification of EQIP payments will remain in Financial Management.  Financial Management will also maintain a payment error processing report which will be provided to the Area Conservationists.  The goal is to reduce the number of payment errors and to make payments to producers within five working days of receipt of a properly completed payment package.

Contact Mary Goode, Budget Officer at 208-378-5713 if you have questions.

/s/                                           
RICHARD SIMS                                         
State Conservationist               

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