Conservation funding is now available for private landowners in Alaska to help restore, enhance, and protect natural resources such as soil, water, wildlife habitat and more.
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced fiscal year 2022 assistance opportunities for agricultural producers and private landowners for three programs – the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), and the new EQIP Conservation Incentives Contracts (EQIP-CIC) Program. All NRCS programs are voluntary and producers may apply for NRCS conservation programs at any time.
EQIP applications are ranked for funding in batches periodically throughout the year. In Alaska, NRCS is offering four batching periods for EQIP in 2022: Jan. 21, March 18, May 20, and July 15. All applications determined eligible and high priority by close of business on a given ranking date will be considered in the current funding cycle.
For CSP applications and EQIP-CIC applications, there is one application deadline set for Jan. 21, 2022. Applications for CSP and EQIP-CIC also must include a map of eligible land and ineligible land as determined by the applicant for the application to be considered complete. All complete applications submitted by close of business Jan. 21 and will be evaluated for eligibility.
Alan D. McBee, State Conservationist for NRCS in Palmer:
“If you operate a farm or manage forest land and want to improve your land, we can help. You can discuss your vision for your land with one of our conservation planners, who will explain the conservation planning process and how to apply for financial assistance.”
Farmland and forestland operators and owners who are interested in applying for assistance should contact the local NRCS office in Kenai (907) 283-8732 or Homer (907) 235-8177 for more information and to begin the conservation planning process. NRCS develops conservation plans which evaluate resource concerns, while considering the land management goals of the operation.
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