NRCS's natural resources conservation programs help people reduce soil erosion, enhance water supplies, improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat, and reduce damages caused by floods and other natural disasters. Public benefits include enhanced natural resources that help sustain agricultural productivity and environmental quality while supporting continued economic development, recreation, and scenic beauty.

Florida EQIP and WHIP Deadline Announced

The 2007 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) application period will remain open until December 15, 2006, according to Jeffrey Woods, Assistant State Conservationist for the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida.

NRCS OFFERS COST SHARE ON WINDBREAKS FOR CITRUS

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering a new cost share initiative under the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) for windbreaks to assist with control of windborne diseases.  Florida NRCS is working with the National NRCS Office to be able to provide up to 75% cost share for windbreaks.  The following is a list of species that may qualify for the cost share:

• Slash & Sand Pine
• Eucalyptus
• Red Cedar
• Bamboo
• Walter’s and Sweet Viburnum
• Saw Palmetto
• Crepe and Wax Myrtle
• Simpson’s Stopper

Batching period for Fiscal Year 2007 ends on December 15, 2006.

USDA PROVIDES $104.5 MILLION FOR NATURAL DISASTER RECOVERY IN 15 STATES

WASHINGTON, June 8, 2005-Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced $104.5 million in Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) funding for locally-sponsored watershed protection projects resulting from floods and other natural disasters such as tornadoes, fires, drought and hurricanes.

"These funds were provided through a supplemental appropriation and will help restore critical watersheds while responding to the needs of rural communities," said Johanns.

States receiving the emergency funds are Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah and Washington.

Through EWP, USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service provides technical and financial assistance to protect life and property threatened by excessive erosion and flooding caused by the sudden impairment of a watershed from a natural disaster.

EWP funds address public safety and restoration efforts on private lands and are used to remove debris, restore eroded streambanks, re-seed burned areas and take related steps to mitigate threats to people and property from impaired watersheds.

Following is a list of states and the total EWP funds they will receive. The balance of the supplemental funds, $1,670,800, will be used as a contingency reserve.

State	Total EWP Funds
Alabama	$3,175,200
Arizona	$3,672,000
California	$10,800,000
Florida	$3,000,000
Hawaii	$240,000
Massachusetts	$1,485,600
Mississippi	$344,400
New Mexico	$2,400,000
New York	$2,772,000
Ohio	$102,000
Oklahoma	$9,300,000
Pennsylvania	$912,000
Tennessee	$1,645,200
Utah	$62,800,800
Washington	$180,000
TOTAL	$102,829,200

Additional information on EWP is on the Web at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ewp.

PROGRAM	Eligibility	Length of Agreement	Rental Payments	Easements	Cost Share	Producer Obligations
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)	Highly erodible cropland that has been planted for 4 of the 6 years preceding enactment of the 2002 law. Marginal pastureland is also eligible.	10-15 years	annual payment based on length of agreement		up to 50%	Develop and follow a plan for the conversion of cropland to a less intensive use. Also, assist with the cost, establishment, and maintenance of conservation practices.
Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP)	Most private wetlands converted to agricultural use prior to 1985 are eligible. Wetland must be restorable and suitable for wildlife benefits.	10 or 30 years; permanent		one-time, up-front payment	up to 100%	Develop and follow a plan for the restoration and maintenance of the wetland. If necessary, assist with the cost of restoration.
Grassland Reserve Program (GRP)	Private grassland, shrubland and land containing forbs or land that historically contained those features is eligible.	10, 15, 20, or 30 years; permanent	annual payment based on length of agreement	one-time, up-front payment	up to 90%	Develop and comply with a plan for the easement or restoration agreement; assist with the remaining installation costs.
Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)	All private land is eligible, unless it is currently enrolled in CRP, WRP or a similar program.	5-15 years			up to 75%	Prepare and follow a wildlife habitat development plan; assist with installation costs.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)	All private land in agricultural production is eligible; includes cropland, grassland, pastureland and non-industrial private forestland.	1-10 years			up to 75%	Develop and follow an EQIP plan that describes the conservation and environmental purposes to be achieved; assist with installation costs.
Conservation Security Program (CSP)	All private agricultural land and forested land that is an incidental part of an agricultural operation is eligible.	5-10 years	annual payment based on length of agreement		up to 75%	A conservation security plan is required to install and/or maintain conservation practices on working lands.