The Coconino Natural Resource Conservation District invites the Ranchers in Coconino County to accept the opportunity to take advantage of USDA's Cost sharing Program, EQIP. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program provides technical, educational, and financial assistance to eligible producers of Coconino County to address soil, water, and related natural resource concerns on their lands in an environmentally beneficial and cost-effective manner. A local work group has identified the greatest conservation need that covers most of the private and state grazing lands within the Coconino NRCD. This priority area has been funded for this year. The work group will strive in future years to continue funding for this program. Resource Concerns The local work group has also defined what the major resource concerns are within this area. Approximately 45 percent of the rangeland is in poor and fair condition which does not meet Natural Resources Conservation Service Quality Criteria. The area is directly or indirectly impacted by large elk populations in conjunction with existing livestock grazing. The competition for forage is causing a large impact on the terrestrial habitat with a loss of plant diversity. Increased soil erosion, water quality issues, sedimentation down stream, and a concern for threatened or endangered species are additional issues. Coconino County Benefits Through the assistance of the EQIP program, other governmental and private agencies, and educational institutions; the terrestrial and water resources concerns can be addressed to provide permanent and economically sound solutions to old conservation problems. Benefits will include: Improved plant diversity and cover through use of water developments, allowing for the ability to distribute livestock and wildlife, and to make grazing systems possible. Reduced water erosion and the resultant water quality problems, improved rangeland and forest health, and provide habitat for balanced wildlife populations. Incorporated partnerships with agencies, local organizations, nonprofit organizations, and local landowners to better facilitate conservation practice which, when integrated together, will solve resource problems. Inventoried and monitored lands will build reliable data to help the partnership make balanced resource decisions and plans. Key Features of the EQIP Program The program emphasizes the development of a conservation plan on the land. Since many of the ranchers have a recent plan developed by them and the NRCS; this emphasis is already met. The EQIP contract must cover a 1 to 10 year period. Any existing conservation plans could easily be converted to a contract that suits the needs. Cost share funding is limited to $100,000 per year and $450,000 for the life of the contract. To qualify for the program the ranch must exhibit at least one of the resource concerns that can be improved significantly through the conservation plan. Cost-shared payments may be made to implement one or more eligible structural or vegetative practices. These payments can be up to 75% of the cost, or as determined by the local technical committee, to install these practices. Incentive payments can be made to implement one or more land management practices, such as deferred grazing and prescribed grazing. These payments can be paid for at a fixed rate on a per acre basis. It is the responsibility of the producer to comply with any and all applicable program or regulatory requirements, and provide copies of required permits and approvals to NRCS prior to starting a practice. Outside Funding sources are encouraged. Producer agrees to maintain the practice for the intended life span of the practice. Only one contract may be executed at one time for each tract of AG land. Obtaining More Information Contact the Flagstaff Field Office of the NRCS at 1585 S. Plaza Way, Suite 120; Flagstaff, AZ 86001 or call (928) 774-2401 (Ext. 111 or 112) for more information or a possible application.