2018-2019 Emergency EQIP
For fiscal year 2019, NRCS added three new emergency conservation practices to our early Disaster Relief Signup, in addition to the five emergency practices from 2018:
- Fencing (Practice 382 Info Sheet: English, Spanish)
- Roof Runoff Structure (Practice 558 Info Sheet: English, Spanish)
- Heavy Use Area Protection (Practice 561 Info Sheet: English, Spanish)
- Dead livestock disposal (Practice 368 Info Sheet: English, Spanish)
- Animal mortality facility construction (Practice 316 Info Sheet: English, Spanish)
- Replacing roofs and covers on agricultural buildings (Practice 367 Info Sheet: English, Spanish)
- Clearing and snagging waterways (Practice 326 Info Sheet: English, Spanish)
- Debris removal (Practice 500 Info Sheet: English, Spanish)
USDA Obligates over $23 Million in FY 2018 to Help Caribbean Area Farmers Recover Following Hurricanes
To expedite disaster recovery, NRCS issued waivers immediately post-hurricane allowing farmers to receive payment and begin implementing five emergency conservation practices prior to contract approval. Emergency practices are: Dead livestock disposal, Animal mortality facility construction, Replacing roofs and covers on agricultural buildings, Clearing and snagging waterways, and Debris removal. By September 30, 2018, NRCS had obligated over $23 million in financial assistance to help farmers in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands repair damage and rebuild following hurricanes Irma and María, and paid out over $8 million. Agency staff and detailees processed over 3,000 EQIP applications - a 400% increase in our workload compared to previous years - and obligated over 820 EQIP contracts, almost three times more than in previous years.
“We can help local farmers repair damages to their land and existing conservation practices caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria,” said NRCS Acting Chief Leonard Jordan. “Through EQIP, we co-invest with farmers to repair and prevent soil erosion, address flooding and other water and air quality issues, as well as any other resource concerns resulting from high rainfall events and flooding.”
Funding for Reapplication of Failed Conservation Treatment – Destruction of Practices by Hurricanes
- Active Contract – NRCS modified existing contracts to repair or reapply a financially-assisted practice that failed for circumstances beyond the participant’s control.
- Completed Contract – NRCS executed new contracts to repair or reapply a failed practice installed through a previously-completed EQIP contract.
Participants must have filed an EQIP application, a waiver to start a practice, and a conservation plan for NRCS practice certification.
