NRCS-WA now allows multiple applications from Tribes

EQIP & CSP application batching deadline: Oct. 20, 2023
FSA Eligibility Deadline: Nov. 17, 2023

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. (Sept. 20, 2023) – USDA’s Natural Resource Conservations Service in Washington (NRCS-WA) will now accept multiple applications from federally recognized Tribes for both the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). 

Tribes that have multiple land use, wildlife, or livestock departments, or have a large enough land base that the Tribe has multiple divisions within a department, can now apply separately for multiple projects instead of one per year.

Prior to this decision each federally recognized Tribe was allowed to apply one time for each program per year. Now, an application can be accepted for every unique Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).

While this opens many possibilities for Tribes interested in EQIP, CSP may be especially useful for Tribes interested in taking their stewardship to even greater heights.

“This is a great opportunity for Tribes to apply for multiple CSP forestry contracts to reward them for the great forestry work they have completed over the past decade,” said Keith Griswold, NRCS-WA Assistant State Conservationist for Programs. “Now is the time to recognize them for their great forest management through CSP.”

While EQIP and CSP applications are accepted year around, Tribes interested in Fiscal Year 2024 funding need to apply by Oct. 20, 2023.

For both EQIP and CSP, each applicant must establish themselves as a USDA customer and obtain all Farm Service Agency (FSA) eligibility requirements by November 17, 2023. Please note, Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) determination takes an average three weeks to be processed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). It is highly recommended that applicants submit their completed AGI form to FSA several weeks prior to the FSA eligibility determination deadline of November 17, 2023. Submitting your AGI form to FSA on the last day of the application period will result in your AGI eligibility not being met by the deadline for Fiscal Year 2024.

To learn how to get started with NRCS, click here, or visit your local USDA service center. To learn how to sign up for free email and text alerts about the latest NRCS program and national funding opportunities, click here.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program
EQIP is a voluntary, technical, and financial assistance program designed to help farmers, ranchers, forestland owners, and Tribes with the application of conservation measures. The program focuses strongly on conservation planning, conservation implementation, and solving natural resource concerns.

For more information on EQIP in Washington click here.

Conservation Stewardship Program
CSP is for producers who are passionate about conservation and environmental stewardship and offers technical and financial assistance to help them take their conservation efforts to the next level.

Through CSP, agricultural producers and forest landowners earn payments for actively managing, maintaining, and expanding conservation activities like cover crops, ecologically-based pest management, buffer strips, and pollinator and beneficial insect habitat – all while maintaining active agricultural or forest production on their land. CSP also encourages the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and new management techniques such as precision agriculture applications, on-site carbon storage and planting for high carbon sequestration rate, and new soil amendments to improve water quality.

For more information on CSP in Washington, click here.