[Excerpts from Jan. 30 USDA Press Release and Proposed Rule]
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced that the proposed rule for EQIP, reauthorized in the 2002 Farm Bill, is being released today for publication in the Federal Register for public comment. The fundamental philosophy of the program, assisting agricultural producers install conservation practices to provide environmental benefits, has not changed. Some of the changes that have been made include:

- Changing the maximum payment limitation from $50,000 per person per contract to $450,000 per individual or entity for all contracts entered into in fiscal years 2002 through 2007;
- Revising the purpose from “maximize environmental benefits per dollar expended” to “optimize environmental benefits”;
- Eliminating the competitive bidding by applicants;
- Allowing payments to be made in the first year of the contract.

NRCS is proposing to optimize environmental benefits through an approach that integrates consideration of National Priorities identified as: reductions of nonpoint source pollutants; reduction of emissions that impair air quality; reduction in soil erosion and sedimentation; and promotion of at-risk species habitat recovery.

Public comments will be accepted for 30 days following publication in the Federal Register.

Full Release
Federal Register Notice (Feb. 10, 2003)
Proposed Rule Summary (82K PDF)
EQIP Website

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