Idaho 2003 State EQIP Sign-Up and Application Information

How EQIP Works in Idaho

For the 2003 year, EQIP cost-sharing will be offered on a statewide basis.  Available conservation practices and cost-share rates may vary in some counties based on input from Local Working Groups (LWGs) and the State Technical Advisory Committee (STAC).

EQIP applications may be submitted at anytime during the year.  In order to respond to Idaho's conservation and environmental needs, Idaho began taking EQIP applications for fiscal year 2003 in February, 2002 following the close of the previous ranking period.

The most recent application ranking period cut off was March 14, 2003.  Applications received after any ranking period will be considered during the next ranking process.  The next ranking period date has not been established.

NRCS with advice from the LWGs and the STAC established six resource categories.  For each category; protocol and ranking systems were developed.  These also were reviewed by the STAC.

Applications may be submitted in one of six resource categories.  These are:

• Animal Feeding Operations (AFO)/Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO)/Livestock Winter Feeding Operations
• Dry Cropland
• Forest Land
• Grazing Land
• Surface Water Source - Irrigated Cropland
• Ground Water Source - Irrigated Cropland

Action by Congress created a seventh EQIP resource designated as the "A&B Irrigation District Project Area".  This area has received earmarked funding separate from the funds provided to Idaho for the statewide program.  This area will have specific requirements and ranking criteria that have yet to be developed.

The ranking period for the A&B Irrigation District Project Area has not been set by the LWG and applications may still be considered this fiscal year.

Each of the six resource categories have been allocated a portion of the overall fiscal year 2003 funds provided to Idaho.

The following amounts represent the initial allocation.  Funds may be moved between resources by the State Conservationist as needed to obtain the highest environmental benefits from the overall program.
 

Resource Category	Amount Allocated
AFO/CAFO/Livestock Winter Feeding Area	$1,100,000.00
Dry Cropland	$1,893,000.00
Forest Land	$400,000.00
Grazing Land	$1,260,000.00
Surface Water Source - Irrigated Cropland	$1,893,000.00
Ground Water Source - Irrigated Cropland	$1,893,000.00
A&B Irrigation District Project Area (Congressional Earmark)	$750,000.00

Applications will compete within their individual resource concern based on the protocol and ranking score.  Applications scoring the highest number of points will receive funding.  Applications that did not score more than a minimum of 45 points will not be considered.  Please see "Ranking and Protocol" for more information.

In addition to the allocated funding, each county and each of the federally recognized Tribes in Idaho will have $80,000.00 available for selection of a priority contract or contracts.  LWGs or Tribal Councils will be able to choose one or more contracts for funding that were not funded in the initial allocation.  The same protocol and ranking will be used.  The LWG may select applications for funding that are the top scoring application in any resource concern.  If a county or Tribe does not have a suitable application, the remaining dollars will be applied to one of the statewide resource concerns.
 

Idaho EQIP Fiscal Year 2003 Contacts

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