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Environmental Quality Incentive Program General Description
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program for farmers who face serious threats to soil, water, and related natural resources. Local Soil Conservation Districts (SCDs) work with landowners and agricultural producers to develop conservation systems and use EQIP funds to implement priority Best Management Practices in geographic priority areas (GPAs). EQIP is coordinated by local SCDs and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in cooperation with the Farm Service Agency. Funding and Assistance Availability Eligibility is limited to individuals engaged in livestock or agricultural production. EQIP offers five to ten year contracts that provide cost-sharing and incentive payments for conservation practices. Cost-sharing may pay up to 75% of the costs of certain conservation practices, such as grassed waterways, filter strips, and manure management facilities. Incentive payments may be made to encourage the landowner to perform land management practices such as nutrient management, manure management, integrated pest management, and wildlife habitat management. Total cost-share and incentive payments are limited to $10,000 per person per year and $50,000 over the length of the contract. Technical assistance is provided by local SCD and NRCS offices. Contract application will be accepted throughout the year. Regional Contact Maryland State Natural Resource Conservation Service Office, 339 Busch’s Frontage Road, Suite 301 Annapolis, MD 21401 (410)757-0861
This page was last updated 07/01/00 |
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The Forest Conservancy District Board for Baltimore County 9405 Old Harford Road Baltimore, Maryland 21234 (410) 665-5820 Email Robert Prenger ....... rprenger@dnr.state.md.us Melvin Noland ....... mlnoland@bcpl.net
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