News

Comments sought on EQIP changes

USDA is seeking public comment on proposed changes to the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The new rule will be published in Friday’s Federal Register and the comment period will run for 60 days. U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says the changes are intended to simplify the EQIP regulation regarding conservation practice scheduling, payment limitations and other administrative actions. The changes also streamline the delivery of technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers and forest landowners nationwide. Highlights of program changes in this rule include the following:

• Requires at least 5 percent of available EQIP funds be targeted for conservation practices that promote wildlife habitat;
• Establishes EQIP as a contributing program for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program;
• Increases the advanced payment from 30 percent to 50 percent for eligible historically underserved producers, including beginning farmers, to help purchase material or contract services;
• Targets assistance to veteran farmers and ranchers including eligibility for the new 50 percent advance payment and up to 90 percent of the cost to implement EQIP conservation practices
• Increases the payment limitation for EQIP from $300,000 to a maximum of $450,000 for benefits received during 2014-2018 and removes the option for a waiver to exceed payment limitations;
• Eliminates the requirement for a program contract to remain in place for one year after the last practice has been implemented, allowing practices to be scheduled through the tenth year of a contract;
• Includes an option to waive the irrigation history requirement under certain conditions;
• Incorporates the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program functions into EQIP.

Beginning Friday, public comments can be submitted through regulations.gov or by mailing them. Comments are due by Feb. 10, 2015. Full details are in the Federal Register notice. This rule follows the publication of the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) interim final rule in the Federal Register on November 5. USDA is also seeking comments for the CSP rule