NRCS Announces Conservation Sign-Up

MORGANTOWN WV, January 11, 2006–The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is currently taking applications for federal cost-share programs:

• Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)
• Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
• Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP)
• Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA)

The sign-up for these programs is continuous, but there may be a ranking cut-off date. Farmers and landowners in West Virginia have until March 3, 2006 to submit applications to be considered for this round of WHIP, EQIP, and AMA funding. WRP applications are reviewed as received. Apply at your local USDA Service Center.

WHIP is a voluntary program to develop and improve wildlife habitat primarily on private land. Through WHIP, NRCS provides both technical assistance and up to 75 percent cost-share assistance to establish and improve wildlife habitat. West Virginia emphasizes development of habitat for farm wildlife (bobwhite quail, cottontail rabbit, songbirds) and riparian areas. WHIP has benefited individual landowners and hunting clubs throughout the state. Woodland wildlife (ruffed grouse and wild turkey) plans through WHIP are common.

EQIP is a conservation program for farmers who promote agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible goals. EQIP offers financial and technical help to assist eligible participants install, or implement, structural and management practices on agricultural land. Eligible practices include livestock watering facilities, filter strips, manure management facilities, fencing of livestock from streams and woodlands, fencing to facilitate rotational grazing, pasture and hay land planting, nutrient management, or other conservation practices that reduce soil erosion and improve water quality.

WRP offers landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on their property through easements and restoration cost-share agreements. The landowner voluntarily limits future use of the land, yet retains private ownership.

AMA provides cost-share assistance to agricultural producers to voluntarily address issues such as water management, water quality, litter transfer, and erosion control by incorporating conservation into their farming operations. An AMA funding allocation has not been received at this time.

Applications for these programs will be evaluated, ranked, and selected for available funding. Once each fiscal year's funding has been exhausted, eligible applications will remain on file for future consideration when additional funding becomes available.

Conservation programs under the Farm Bill are voluntary and focus on a variety of natural resource concerns. The goal is to assist producers trying to conserve and protect natural resources on the nation's 1.3 billion acres of private working lands. For more information please contact your local USDA Service Center, listed in the telephone book under U.S. Department of Agriculture, or your local conservation district. Information also is available on the World Wide Web at: http://www.wv.nrcs.usda.gov/.

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