CONSERVATION PROGRAM DEADLINES ANNOUNCED

New Planning Requirement Means Applicants Should Start Early

October 28, 2004 (Palmer) - Today the USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service announced that the cut-off date for applications to its Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) will be May 27, 2005. Applications can be submitted throughout the year, but those received after May 27 will be held until the next cut-off date.

NRCS provided nearly $7 million in cost share assistance in Alaska last year through WHIP and EQIP. The agency expects to allocate a similar amount this year.

New this year is a requirement that all landowners possess an updated conservation plan for their property before receiving financial assistance from the WHIP or EQIP programs. NRCS staff is available to help landowners create conservation plans on a first come, first served basis at each of 12 field offices throughout the state. Potential applicants are urged to sign up for conservation planning assistance as soon as possible to ensure meeting this year’s application deadline.

EQIP is a voluntary conservation program that supports production agriculture and environmental quality as compatible goals. Through EQIP, agricultural producers receive financial and technical help to implement projects that will improve their natural resources such as installing fencing and watering facilities to improve grazing lands; installing grassed waterways and filter strips to reduce erosion; and improving water quality by installing animal waste storage facilities.

WHIP is a voluntary program for private landowners who want to develop or improve wildlife habitat on private lands. It provides both technical assistance and cost sharing to help establish and improve fish and wildlife habitat.

Contact information for NRCS field offices and additional information on WHIP and EQIP is by calling 907-761-7760.

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