CARBON COUNTY EQIP PROGRAM

How EQIP is being implemented in the county:

The Carbon County Local Work Group has identified the following natural resource concerns as high priorities:

1)  Grazing land Health

This local priority supports the national priority to reduce soil erosion and sedimentation from agricultural lands and to promote wildlife habitat.  Grazing land impacted by the ongoing drought was identified by the work group as a high priority.  Applications for dependable water development (wells, spring developments, pipelines and water storage) will be given the highest priority.  A properly planned and applied grazing system (Prescribed Grazing Initiative) is the most effective strategy to prepare for drought, adapt management during drought, and help recover from drought.   Projects identified by the South Central or Bates Hole/Shirley Basin Sage Grouse Local Working Groups for Sage Grouse habitat enhancement may be included.  

2)  Ground and Surface water quality affected by animal waste

This local priority supports the national priority to reduce non-point source pollution in waterbodies.  Removing unacceptable conditions, waste management systems, corral relocation, and nutrient management will be targeted in an effort to help producers avoid regulation, and improve water quality. 

3) Irrigation Water Management

This local priority supports the national priority of conservation of ground and surface water.  Improved irrigation efficiencies are crucial in dealing with critical water shortages. Reduction of erosion in irrigation systems will be a high priority (land must have been irrigated 3 of last 5 years to be eligible).   Regulations of irrigation water require the ability to better measure and apply irrigation water.  Conversion to sprinkler irrigation will only be considered a high priority if there is adequate water to provide a supply of irrigation water until August 15^th for a minimum of 80% of the time (8 out of 10 years).  The area to be converted to sprinkler irrigation must have suitable soils, and the area must not currently supply significant irrigation water from runoff to other irrigated acres.

4) Streambank/Riparian Area Protection and Fish and Wildlife Habitat

Streambank/riparian area protection can be very important in reducing the amount of sediment in streams, as well as improving fish and wildlife habitat.  Upland wildlife habitat is also very important in Carbon County .  Special consideration will be given to applications identified by the South Central or Bates Hole/Shirley Basin Sage Grouse Local Working Groups for Sage Grouse habitat enhancement.  

5) Other/Single Practice Application

This priority category is set at a ceiling of $50,000 (a maximum of $5,000 cost share per producer) for the purpose of establishing single practices for conservation forestry management implementation, snow fence/windbreak establishment, and/or wildlife habitat enhancement plantings.  This category also includes the application for any single conservation practice implementation.

Eligible Practices and Cost Share Rates:  All practices listed on the cost list will be eligible for cost share in Carbon County .  The cost share rate will be 50% for all practices in all high priority applications selected for funding.

Screening Tool:  A screening tool will be used to place all applications in a high or low category.  High priority applications will be ranked and funded according to the results of the ranking worksheets.  Low priority applications will not be eligible for cost share.

Fund Pools:  The County EQIP funds will be allocated to the priority resource concerns as follows:

1.       Grazing Land Health  -  40 %

Prescribed Grazing Initiative - from Statewide Pool

2.       Livestock Waste  -  from Statewide Pool

3.       Irrigation Water Management  -  35 %

4.       Streambank/Riparian Area Protection and Fish and Wildlife Habitat – 15 %

5.       Other/Single Practice – 10% not to exceed $50,000 Ceiling

Remaining balances from each pool will be combined and allocated to either a grazing or irrigation contract if adequate money is available to fund next contract.  Additional remaining balances may be used to fund high priority Livestock Waste contracts at 75% cost share if adequate money is not available in statewide pool, Prescribed Grazing Initiative contracts if adequate money is not available from statewide pool, Streambank/Riparian Area Protection contracts, or Fish and Wildlife Habitat contracts.  

Click  to view ranking worksheets:

These documents require Adobe Acrobat to view the material.

Carbon County Screening Tool (PDF, 27 KB)

Carbon County Grazing Land Management (PDF, 15 KB)

Carbon County Irrigation Water Management (PDF, 17 KB)

Carbon County Other (PDF, 15 KB)

Carbon County Streambank, Riparian, Fish and Wildlife (PDF, 17 KB)

Contact one of the local offices:    Medicine Bow     Saratoga    Baggs