EQIP Program in Burnet County

Updated 11/28/2005

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) offers cost share assistance to agricultural producers to implement on-farm conservation practices.  The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) determines eligible producers for the EQIP program and determines eligible land.  Eligible producers may apply for cost share assistance on conservation practices that will address the identified resource concern identified by the Local Work Group (LWG).

Burnet County Office Information

Interested agricultural producers may apply in person at the Burnet County USDA Service Center. Applicants may also request EQIP assistance by telephone, Fax, e-mail, or letter.
 

State Resource Concerns Priority Areas that include part of Burnet County:

Objective

County Base Funds

The objectives of the Burnet County EQIP Local Working Group LWG are to promote the use of conservation practices for improving the natural resources throughout the county. The major resource concern is Plant Health- Brush Management.

County EQIP Resource Concerns:

In Burnet County for 2006, the Local Working Group (LWG) has identified the following resource concern as being the top priority for cost share assistance this year -

Plant health was selected as the highest priority concern in Burnet County. Brush Management for Ashe juniper will be given the highest priority for contract funding. Brush Management for prickly pear will be give second priority, Brush Management for mesquite will be given third priority. Controlling these species will have a positive effect on plant health.

Eligible Practices and Cost Share Rates:

County Base Fund

Limited Resource Producers -90 percent
Beginner Farmer/Rancher - 50 percent
All other Producers - 50 percent

Practices will be cost shared based on the established average cost of the practice. The amount of cost share earned will be the number of units certified after completion multiplied by the average cost multiplied by the cost share rate.

Brush Management 314 - Ashe juniper Handcut- Units = acres treated, average cost - $20.00 per acre.
Brush Management 314 - Ashe juniper Mechanical, Hydraulic Shear- Units - acres treated, average cost - $50.00 per acre.
Brush Management 314 - Ashe juniper Mechanical, Tree doze - Units - acres treated, average cost - $90.00 per acre.
Brush Management 314 - Prickly Pear Chemical, Individual Plant Treatment or Broadcast- Units - acres treated, average cost - $ 30 per acre.
Brush Management 314 - mesquite Chemical, Individual Plant Treatment or Broadcast - Units - acres treated, average cost - $30 per acre.
Brush Management 314 – mesquite Mechanical, Tree doze - Units - acres treated, average cost - $90 per acre.

• No incentive payments
  
• Practiced Based - average cost used
  
• Practices not on practice list are not eligible for cost share.

Ranking Criteria

• Species to Control and Type of Treatment

Brush Management 314 - Ashe juniper Handcut - 100 points
Brush Management 314 - Ashe juniper Mechanical, Hydraulic Shear - 90 points
Brush Management 314 - Ashe juniper Mechanical, Tree doze - 80 points
Brush Management 314 - Prickly Pear Chemical, Individual Plant Treatment or Broadcast - 70 points
Brush Management 314 - mesquite Chemical, Individual Plant Treatment or Broadcast - 60 points
Brush Management 314 – mesquite Mechanical, Tree doze - 50 points

• Applicants who agree to retain bush for wildlife habitat will receive 15 additional points per species.
  
• Multiple practices on the same application will be averaged by the points assigned to each application.

• Ties will be broken by using a random number which will be assigned to each application.

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