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EQIP Aquatic Ranking Tool

Ranking Tool Summary for Aquatic (Released 04/29/2009)

Description:

1. This ranking tool applies to FY2009 EQIP applications in the category for the Aquatic priority: Restoration and/ or enhancement of stream habitat, waterbodies, and riparian ecology for anadromous and endemic non-anadromous fish.
2. Each ranked application must include a detailed written description of the proposed project in the EQIP Plan of Operation to be provided to the NRCS State Biologist before final ranking.
3. At risk species are defined as native specie (s) whose population (s) or habitat is in danger of loss reflected by their listing as State or Federal Threatened or Endangered, Candidate, or State Species of Concern, or as focus species in Alaskas Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (CWCS).
4. A completed Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Guide (WHEG) is required in support of each application, for which a WHEG land use exists.
5. Land Uses are further defined as aquatic habitat, lake fringe and riparian zones as well as other lands directly affecting water quality and habitat conditions for lake and stream, fish habitat.
6. For the purposes of EQIP, Noxious and Invasive weeds are those species identified in the FOTG Section IV D. Conservation practices "Pest Management and Invasive Weeds Fact Sheet and List". Invasive animal species are those listed by ADF&G in "A Comprehensive List and Select Species Reports". http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/special/invasive/documents/invasivespp.report.pdf

Description:

Land Uses:

Forest, Native/Naturalized Pasture, Natural Area, Pasture, Water, Wildlife

Efficiency Score:

  Scoring Multiplier: 1.00
  Scoring Ranges and Results Text:
High: 685 - 455 Medium: 435 - 270 Low:
Represents projects which meet intent of program, and are high priority for funding. Represents projects which meet intent of program, and are medium priority for funding. Represents projects which meet intent of program, but are low priority for funding.

National Priorities:

  Scoring Multiplier: 1.00
  Scoring Ranges and Results Text:

High: 160 - 110 Medium: 100 - 60 Low: 50 -0

Represents projects which meet intent of program, and are high priority for funding.

 Represents projects which meet intent of program, and are medium priority for funding.

Represents projects which meet intent of program, but are low priority for funding.

Questions:

Question Number Question Points
1 Will the treatment you intend to implement using EQIP result in a considerable reduction of non-point source pollution, such as nutrients, sediment, pesticides, excess salinity in impaired watersheds with total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) where available, groundwater contamination or point sources such as contamination from confined animal feeding operations? 20
2 Will the treatment you intend to implement for water conservation or irrigation efficiency using EQIP result in a considerable reduction in water use? 10
3 Will the treatment you intend to implement using EQIP result in a considerable reduction of emissions, such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds, and ozone precursors and depleters that contribute to air quality impairment violations of National Ambient Air Quality Standards? 20
4 Will the treatment you intend to implement using EQIP result in a considerable reduction in soil erosion and sedimentation from unacceptable levels on agricultural land? 20
5 Will the treatment you intend to implement using EQIP result in a considerable increase in the promotion of at-risk species habitat conservation? 40
6 Will the treatment that you intend to implement using EQIP result in considerable benefits to residue management, nutrient management, air quality management, invasive species management, pollinator habitat, and animal carcass management technology or pest management? 40
7 Will the treatment that you intend to implement using EQIP result in energy conservation benefits? 10
 

Total Points

 160

State Issues:

  Scoring Multiplier: 1.00
  Scoring Ranges and Results Text:

High: 350 - 235 Medium: 230 - 145 Low: 140 - 65
Represents projects which meet intent of program, and are high priority for funding. Represents projects which meet intent of program, and are medium priority for funding. Represents projects which meet intent of program, but are low priority for funding.

Questions:

Question Number Question Points
1 This project contains a primary treatment to address areas of significantly established noxious or invasive species threatening on site, at risk native habitat, or wildlife species, (only answer ONE from 1, 2 OR 3). 40
2 This project contains a primary treatment to address areas with minor presence of noxious or invasive species threatening on site, at risk native habitat, or wildlife species, (only answer ONE from 1, 2 OR 3). 20
3 This project contains a primary treatment to address areas with minor presence of noxious or invasive species threatening on site, native habitat, or wildlife species. (only answer ONE from 1, 2 OR 3). 10
4 This project contains practices which will actively address two or more State EQIP priorities. (EQIP Plan of Operations will identify priorities addressed, as well as the species, and rationale for extended benefits). 25
5 This project provides for the address or rehabilitation of critical wildlife habitat which has been impacted by man made, or natural disasters (flooding, dewatering, blockage, volcano, earthquake, etc.). ("disaster" designation must be concurred by NRCS) 25
6 This conservation project applies practices which provide significant benefits to a listed state or federal sensitive, at-risk, candidate and/or threatened or endangered species. 40
7 This project removes or modifies an existing instream or waterbody structure (s) which blocks fish passage (consider all life stages). OR, (only answer ONE from 7,8) 50
8 This project addresses instream or waterbody restoration/ enhancement of habitat components (any/all life stages) in areas where fish passage is not a problem; OR (only answer ONE from 7, 8) 20
9 This project will identify and address specific missing or impaired habitat elements instream, bankside and in the riparian corridor primarily using biotech materials (extends laterally > 30' toward uplands beyond bankside treatment zone). Or, (only answer ONE from 9 OR 10). 30
10 This project focuses on prevention of habitat degradation of currently undamaged shoreline, streambanks or instream conditions.(only answer ONE from 9 OR 10). 15
11 This project site is identified to be important for fish spawning, rearing or overwintering. Must be confirmed by a professional agency biologist. 35
12 Stream or river course is identified as an impaired or degraded body for fish by the state, federal or tribal government. (ex. AWCA list, tribal critical river area, etc.) 15
13 Any planting plan or expected regeneration is/ has been developed utilizing/ or encourages only ecologically appropriate NATIVE species. (Only answer ONE from 13 OR 14. If no planting or site veg, re-veg required, select 13). 30
14 This project will use less than 100% native plant species in the planting plan, or non-native plant species may encroach the site due to absence of control efforts. (only answer ONE from 13 OR 14). 5
15 This project contains significant specific fish habitat improvements/ practices to create, re-establish or enhance connections to, or the quality of, adjacent wetlands or off-channel high-water or over-wintering refuge. 25
16 This project will be closed out with all contract items completed and paid in three years or less. 35
 

Maximum Points: 420   Total Points

 420

Local Issues:

Scoring Multiplier: 1.00
Scoring Ranges and Results Text:

High: 175 - 110 Medium: 105 - 65 Low: 60 - 0
Represents projects which meet intent of program, and are high priority for funding. Represents projects which meet intent of program, and are medium priority for funding. Represents projects which meet intent of program, but are low priority for funding.

Questions:

Question Number Question Points
1 This project has a benefit to the highest priority locally identified wildlife species. 30
2 This project has a benefit to secondary priority locally identified wildlife species. 15
3 EQIP plan addresses natural resource concerns identified as high priority by the Local Workgroup. 30
4 EQIP plan addresses natural resource concerns identified as a secondary priority by the Local Workgroup. 15
5 EQIP plan includes practices which are identified as high priority by the Local Workgroup. 30
6 EQIP plan includes practices which are identified as a secondary priority by the Local Workgroup. 15
7 This project addresses locally identified noxious or invasive species of concern. 20
8 This project addresses one or more locally identified priority subsistence species. 20
 

Maximum Points: 175     Total Points

 175

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