Post on 11-Jan-2016
Title II – Conservation
Environmental Quality Incentives Program and other Conservation Programs
2002 Farm Bill Education ConferenceKansas City, MissouriMay 20-21, 2002
Andy SeidlColorado State University
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
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
1996 vs 2002• Overview• Priority areas • Eligibility• Funding/Payments
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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
Perspectives on EQIP
Producer Support for Government Incentives for Environmental Benefits (% in favor) Open
Space Farm land
Water Quality
Wildlife Habitat
Animal Waste
Soil Erosion
Carbon Sequst
Biofuel Endang’d Species
Nation 62 86 91 69 68 89 49 86 52 West 59 82 86 66 63 82 47 83 46 North Central 60 86 91 66 68 89 49 90 51 Northeast 72 90 94 67 75 89 51 85 57 South 63 87 91 69 68 89 49 86 52
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/
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
WRP Acres
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
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
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.