The Western Lake Erie Basin was made a priority area by USDA because of an increase of algal blooms in the area. Increased levels of phosphorus in surface water contribute to algal blooms which diminish water quality and are harmful to fish and other aquatic wildlife. Agricultural land in the Western Lake Erie Basin was determined to be one of the sources of increased phosphorus in surface water due to water and wind erosion.
NRCS Chief Jason Weller unveiled the initiative on March 28, 2016 at an event with partners and stakeholders from the region at Maumee Bay State Park in Toledo, Ohio. This initiative will expand conservation and financial assistance opportunities available to WLEB farmers who want to take additional steps to improve the quality of the water feeding the lake. This funding is in addition to the $36 million the Agency has already planned to make available in the basin through the 2014 Farm Bill, for a combined three-year investment of $77 million to improve water quality and support sustainable production in the Basin.
2018 Sign-up Period
Applications submitted by December 15, 2017 will be evaluated to be considered for funding in fiscal year 2017. Applications received after that date will be accepted and evaluated for future rounds of funding. Applications for Conservation Activity Plans may be submitted, accepted and considered for funding at any time pending available funding and program eligibility requirements.
New for FY18 EQIP: Applicants must meet EQIP participant eligibility requirements by January 26, 2018 for an application submitted by December 15, 2017. This means applicants must meet eligibility for:
- Establish Farm Records with FSA
- Adjusted Gross Income requirements
- HELC/WC Compliance
- Entity Participants (using an EIN) must obtain a DUNS and successfully register in SAM.gov
Applicants who do not meet these requirements by January 26, 2018 will not be considered for funding in the FY18 application period. Applicants should file the appropriate forms to establish eligibility as soon as possible after submitting an application. Form NRCS-CPA-1200 Conservation Program Application contains more information about the forms necessary to file to establish eligibility. The necessary forms are available at your local USDA Service Center.
Certain eligibility requirements are self-certified on form NRCS-CPA-1200 (such as control of land and permission to install structural practices) and are not required to be substantiated by the January 26 deadline. However, these eligibility requirements must be verified before an application can be approved.
For more information about technical and financial assistance available contact your District Conservationist http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/in/contact/local/.
Priority Areas
Since 2009, NRCS Indiana has invested nearly $12 million in technical and financial assistance to farmers in the Western Lake Erie Basin through Farm Bill Programs. The conservation improvements they have made through 465 conservation contracts now cover more than 118,382 acres. Indiana farmers and landowners have stepped up, and with their help the conservation practices reduced annual nutrient and sediment losses by an estimated 180 thousand pounds of nitrogen, 89,000 pounds of phosphorous, and 160 million pounds of sediment between 2013 and 2014. These savings have resulted in cleaner water leaving farmlands in the basin.
Practice Information, Screening Tool and Ranking Sheet
For a list of practice guidelines and payment rates, please refer to the 2018 EQIP Practice Information.
Additional Resources
For More Information
For More Information about the WLEB Program, please contact Jill Reinhart, ASTC-Partnerships at: 317-295-5883