GULF COAST SOIL AND WATER
CONSERVATION DISTRICT

USDA/NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE PROGRAMS

Click on the title of the program for more information

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM (EQIP) - EQIP is a voluntary conservation program for farmers and ranchers who face a serious environmental threat to soil, water, and related natural resources on their land.  Through EQIP, farmers and ranchers may receive financial and technical assistance to install structural and management conservation practices on eligible land.  EQIP offers contracts with a minimum term of one year after implementation of the last scheduled practice and a maximum term of ten years.  Payment may be up to 75 percent of the cost of certain conservation practices and up to 90 percent for limited resource or beginning farmers.  Signup is continuous.

CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM (CRP) - CRP encourages farmers to convert highly erodible cropland or other environmentally sensitive acreage to vegetative cover, such as tame or native grasses, wildlife plantings, trees, filterstrips, or riparian buffers by providing cost share for establishment and annual rental payment for the term of the multi-year contract.  CRP is administered by the Farm Service Agencey.

WETLANDS RESERVE PROGRAM (WRP) - WRP is a voluntary program that provides technical and financial assistance to eligible landowners to address wetland, wildlife habitat, soil, water, and related natural resource concerns on private lands.  Participating landowners can establish conservation easements of either permanent or 30-year duration or can enter into restoration cost-share agreements where no easement is involved.

WILDLIFE HABITAT INCENTIVE PROGRAM (WHIP) - WHIP provides financial incentives to develop habitat for fish and wildlife on private lands.  Participants agree to implement a wildlife habitat development plan, and USDA agrees to provide cost-share and technical assistance for the implementation of wildlife habitat development practices.  USDA and program participants usually enter into 5-10 year cost-share agreements.  Shorter-term agreements may also be implemented to meet wildlife emergencies, as approved by the NRCS State Conservationist.  NRCS may also provide greater cost-share assistance to landowners who enter into agreements of 15 years or more.

EMERGENCY WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM (EWP) - EWP program is designed to reduce threats to life and property in the wake of natural disasters.  It provides technical and cost-sharing assistance.  EWP projects protect homes, businesses, highways, and public facilities from further damage.

LINKS

For more information contact you local NRCS District Conservationist.
Calcasieu and Cameron Parish – Frank Chapman {Email – frank.chapman@la.usda.gov}

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