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Packer Creek Forest Health TIP

EQIP
Apply by: October 25, 2024

This Targeted Implementation Plan (TIP) is available in Mineral County, Montana. TIPs are local-level Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) initiatives used by NRCS in Montana to guide on-the-ground implementation of locally developed Long Range County Plans.

Project Description

County or Counties: Mineral
Primary Resource Concern: Plant productivity and health
Time Frame: Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 through FY 2026

The Packer Creek Forest Health TIP will enhance the health and productivity of forested acreage, with collateral benefits in reducing wildfire hazard and noxious weeds- achieved through the implementation of a robust set of practices during the period of 2022-26. This dynamic project will directly complement the US Forest Service’s Cruzane Mountain Project and will effectively engage a diverse group of landowners and partners through grassroots outreach activities and collaborative efforts in western Mineral County, Montana.

Packer Creek Forest Health TIP (529.65 KB)

Conservation Practices Offered

  • 666 Forest Stand Improvement
  • 384 Woody Residue Treatment
  • 383 Fuel Break
  • 660 Tree and Shrub Pruning
  • 315 Herbaceous Weed Treatment

Detailed descriptions of these conservation practices can be found in the Field Office Technical Guide, Section 4 - Practice Standards and Supporting Documents.

Project Partners

  • Mineral Conservation District
  • Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC)
  • Mineral County Weed District
  • Bitter Root RC&D
  • Mineral County Resource Council
  • US Forest Service

When to Apply

Program applications are accepted on a continual basis. However, NRCS establishes application ranking dates for evaluation, ranking and approval of eligible applications. Applications received after the ranking date will be automatically deferred to the next funding period. See Montana Programs and Application Dates.

Applications must meet the intent of this initiative. For more details about this initiative, contact your local field office. 

Local Ranking Questions

NRCS uses these questions to evaluate eligible applications for this project and to prioritize applications for potential funding.

  1. Has the applicant implemented management practices such as Forest Stand Improvement (666) or Tree and Shrub Pruning (660) within the last 3 years to enhance the productivity and health of the native forest overstory on the property prior to applying for NRCS financial assistance? 
  2. Are the planned acres of Forest Stand Improvement (666) located adjacent to properties on which previously completed forest management activities have taken place within the last 5 years (private, industrial, state, or federal lands all apply)?
  3. Does the application include Fuel Break (383) around structures or along the main points of ingress/egress within the focus area?
  4. Does the application include Herbaceous Weed Treatment (315) to promote the health and productivity of native understory vegetation?

Additional Montana Information

Targeted Implementation Plans (TIPs) are local-level Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) initiatives used by NRCS in Montana to guide on-the-ground implementation of locally developed Long Range County Plans. These plans are part of the "Focused Conservation” strategy to guide Montana's EQIP investments. Learn more about Montana Focused Conservation and Targeted Implementation Plans.

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Additional Information

Apply for Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers and non-industrial forest managers.

Learn More

Farm Bill

The 2018 Farm Bill was enacted on December 20, 2018. The Farm Bill continues its strong support for conservation efforts of America’s farmers and ranchers through reauthorization and expanded flexibility of NRCS conservation programs. 

Learn More

Ready to get started?

Contact your local service center to start your application.

Find Your Local Service Center

USDA Service Centers are locations where you can connect with Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Rural Development employees for your business needs. Enter your state and county below to find your local service center and agency offices. If this locator does not work in your browser, please visit offices.usda.gov.

How to Get Assistance

Do you farm or ranch and want to make improvements to the land that you own or lease?

Natural Resources Conservation Service offers technical and financial assistance to help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners.

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how to get started

To get started with NRCS, we recommend you stop by your local NRCS field office. We’ll discuss your vision for your land.

NRCS provides landowners with free technical assistance, or advice, for their land. Common technical assistance includes: resource assessment, practice design and resource monitoring. Your conservation planner will help you determine if financial assistance is right for you.

We’ll walk you through the application process. To get started on applying for financial assistance, we’ll work with you:

  • To fill out an AD 1026, which ensures a conservation plan is in place before lands with highly erodible soils are farmed. It also ensures that identified wetland areas are protected.
  • To meet other eligibility certifications.

Once complete, we’ll work with you on the application, or CPA 1200.

Applications for most programs are accepted on a continuous basis, but they’re considered for funding in different ranking periods. Be sure to ask your local NRCS district conservationist about the deadline for the ranking period to ensure you turn in your application in time.

As part of the application process, we’ll check to see if you are eligible. To do this, you’ll need to bring:

  • An official tax ID (Social Security number or an employer ID)
  • A property deed or lease agreement to show you have control of the property; and
  • A farm number.

If you don’t have a farm number, you can get one from USDA’s Farm Service Agency. Typically, the local FSA office is located in the same building as the local NRCS office. You only need a farm number if you’re interested in financial assistance.

NRCS will take a look at the applications and rank them according to local resource concerns, the amount of conservation benefits the work will provide and the needs of applicants. View Application Ranking Dates by State.

If you’re selected, you can choose whether to sign the contract for the work to be done.

Once you sign the contract, you’ll be provided standards and specifications for completing the practice or practices, and then you will have a specified amount of time to implement. Once the work is implemented and inspected, you’ll be paid the rate of compensation for the work if it meets NRCS standards and specifications.