Idaho 2004 State EQIP Sign-Up and Application Information

How EQIP Works in Idaho

For 2004, EQIP cost-sharing will be offered on a county basis.  NRCS, with advice from Local Working Groups (LWGs) and the State Technical Advisory Committee (STAC), determined the majority of funding would be sent to the counties for selection of contracts.  Available conservation practices and cost-share rates may vary in some counties.  Ranking sheets are similar statewide, but have been customized by the LWGs to highlight most critical resource concerns.  County Ranking Sheets (not available until March 1, 2004)

EQIP applications may be submitted at anytime during the year.  In order to respond to Idaho's conservation and environmental needs, the deadline for consideration of fiscal year 2004 applications closes on February 13, 2004.  The ranking period will be February 23 through April 9, 2004.  The 2005 applications and ranking periods have not been determined.

A&B Special Funds

Action by Congress created a special EQIP resource area 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.  A&B Irrigation District Project Areas.

Tribal Special Funds

In addition to the allocated county funding, funds will be set aside for the federally recognized Tribes in Idaho.  Applications on Tribal lands with Tribal member owners or operators will receive priority consideration for these funds.  The county protocol and ranking will be used.

Funding Allocations

The following documents show the initial allocation to counties.  Funds may be moved between counties by the State Conservationist as needed to obtain the highest environmental benefits from the overall program.  County funding.

Applications scoring the highest number of points will receive funding.  Counties may develop a screening process based on a minimum number of points received in order to reduce additional workload on applications that are not high priority.

If a county or Tribe does not have a suitable application, the remaining dollars will be re-allocated to counties with high priority applications remaining after their initial allocation has been obligated.  Since the expectation that the need for additional funding by counties will exceed the available "extra" funds, counties will be selected by lottery.
 

Idaho EQIP Fiscal Year 2004 Contacts

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