USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Accepting EQIP Applications through Dec 23, 2022, for Three Arkansas Water Quality Projects

The  USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is investing in three new landscape-level water quality efforts for the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative (MRBI).

“We have learned that when we work with producers and partner to install conservation practices within critical watersheds, we see a positive impact,” said NRCS State Conservationist in Arkansas Mike Sullivan. “Through these partnerships, we accelerate and maximize the delivery of our conservation efforts which yields greater results to water quality and benefits the public, our natural resources and farmers’ bottom lines.”

Arkansas has three new MRBI projects that will be receiving financial assistance dollars in fiscal year 2023. NRCS accepts program applications on a continuous basis but sets dates to batch and rank applications as funding allows. Farmers and landowners in Arkansas who submit applications to their local NRCS office by Dec, 23, 2022, will be considered for this round of funding. Applications received after Dec. 23, 2022, will be considered in later funding periods, subject to funding availability.

Arkansas’s project areas are:

MRBI
•    North Big Creek-Strawberry River – Portions of Sharp and Izard counties
•    West Craighead – Portions of Craighead, Jackson, Greene, and Lawrence
•    Arkansas County Lower White – Portions of Arkansas county

NRCS has strengthened its focus on watershed assessment and partner engagement in selecting priority small watersheds in recent years. Partners are encouraged to work with Arkansas NRCS for new project area interests.  
All applications will be evaluated for funding based on local, state and nationally developed criteria to optimize environmental benefits. Applications ranking highest in a funding category will be funded according to priority and is subject to availability of program funds.
For more information, visit http://www.ar.nrcs.usda.gov/ or contact the local your local USDA Service Center.