EQIP Application Cutoff Dates For Oak-Hickory Forest Improvements
Champaign, IL, December 19, 2017— State Conservationist Ivan Dozier announced the U. S. Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will offer landowners funding to improve Oak-Hickory forest stands using the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). NRCS has partnered with the Illinois Forestry Development Council to help producers address natural resource concerns of water quality and soil health. Landowners can apply for both technical and financial assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to make forest stand improvements, use brush management techniques, install herbaceous weed control, and tree/shrub establishment practices.
The focus of this special effort is to improve conditions and stands of oak-hickory forest land by reducing soil erosion and improving water quality in the following 37 counties:
· Adams
· Alexander
· Brown
· Calhoun
· Carroll
· Clark
· Clay
· Crawford
· Cumberland
· Edwards
· Effingham
· Fulton
· Gallatin
· Greene
· Hancock
· Hardin
· Jackson
· Jasper
· Jersey
· Jo Daviess
· Johnson
· Lawrence
· Lee
· Massac
· McDonough
· Ogle
· Pike
· Pope
· Pulaski
· Richland
· Saline
· Schuyler
· Stephenson
· Union
· Wabash
· Whiteside
· Williamson
Producers and landowners in these locations who are interested in installing these forestry conservation practices on their oak-hickory acres can take advantage of this special conservation funding opportunity. Simply submit an application to your local NRCS field office by the cutoff dates of January 19, and March 16, 2018. NRCS reminds producers they can apply for regular EQIP financial assistance at any time throughout the year, as NRCS accepts applications on a continuous basis.
To see if you are eligible to participate in the program, producers should contact their local NRCS field office or visit the Illinois NRCS website at www.il.nrcs.usda.gov
