Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Conservation Practices For Forestland Owners




Forest landowners can now take advantage of the conservation practices available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) by applying for the program at their local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) or Soil and Water Conservation District office.

Funding is available for forest landowners within the Dugdemona Soil and Water Conservation District to implement forestry practices on their property. This includes cost sharing assistance for practices such as site preparation, tree planting, fire lane construction, prescribed burning, mid-story chemical release, and many other practices for landowners in Winn, Jackson and Caldwell parishes.

Every application will be ranked according to total environmental benefits derived from the implementation of conservation practices. NRCS evaluates each application using a state and locally developed evaluation process. Local priorities are developed each year at the annual locally led conservation work group meeting. High priorities are given to applications that encourage the use of cost-effective conservation practices, address state and national conservation priorities, and optimize environmental benefits.

EQIP helps producers through cost sharing and incentive payments for the implementation of conservation practices. All EQIP activities must be carried out according to a conservation plan of operations developed by the producer, NRCS, and in cooperation with the Dugdemona Soil and Water Conservation District.

Individuals qualifying as beginning farmers or limited-resource farmers may be eligible for increased payment rates. For more information on the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and how it may help you and your operation, in Jackson Parish visit the NRCS Ruston Field Office at 1803 Trade Drive in Ruston or contact us at (318) 255- 3136 extension 3; for Winn Parish visit the NRCS Natchitoches Field Office at 6949 LA Hwy 1 Bypass in Natchitoches or contact us at (318) 357- 8366 extension 3; for Caldwell Parish visit the NRCS Columbia Field Office at 7128 Hwy 165 South in Columbia or contact us at (318) 649-2651 extension 3; or visit the Dugdemona SWCD at 301 West Main Street, Suite 210 (upstairs in the Winn Parish Health Unit Building or contact us at (318) 628-4435.

All programs and services of the U.S. Department of Agriculture are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, or disability.


No comments: