EQIP Program in Lampasas County

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).

Lampasas County Office Information

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

Richard Ellis, District Conservationist

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

Objective:

County Base Fund

The objectives of the Lampasas County EQIP 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 Concern:

In Lampasas County for 2006, the 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 Lampasas 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

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

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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