EQIP Application Process

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) can help agricultural producers with technical and financial assistance to producers to address natural

resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits.

Type of Work Authorized

• Improved water and air quality
• Conserved ground and surface water
• Increased soil health and reduced soil erosion and sedimentation
• Improved or created wildlife habitat
• Mitigation against drought and increasing weather volatility.

Eligibility

Farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who own or rent agricultural land are eligible.  EQIP assistance can be used on all types of agricultural operations, including:

• Conventional and organic

• Specialty crops and commodity crops

• Forestry and wildlife

• Historically underserved farmers*

• Livestock operations

*Increased and advance payments available for historically underserved producers

(beginning, limited resource, socially disadvantaged, and military veterans.)

Application Information and Documents* -*Additional documents may be required

1.  NRCS-CPA-1200 Conservation Program Application Form

2.  With your application, please provide a written description of the damage to the conservation practice(s). To the best of your ability, this should include:

1. Description of the conservation practice
2. Approximate location
3. Approximate installation date
4. Approximate date of the incident that caused the damage
5. Cause of the damage
6. Description of the damage
7. Picture of the damage​​

Possible alternatives to the written statement may be an insurance adjuster’s report, an insurance claim, or any other report or document that provides information about the damage to the conservation practice.

Application Deadline: February 2, 2024

Conservation Incentive Contracts (EQIP-CIC)

The new Conservation Incentive Contracts (EQIP-CIC) component of EQIP helps producers mitigate the immediate impacts of drought, while expanding on those conservation efforts to develop long term resiliency to drought and wildfire.

Type of Work Authorized

EQIP-CIC addresses high priority conservation and natural resource concerns such as drought and wildfire suppression.

Similar to the classic EQIP, agricultural producers address identified resource concerns through conservation activities including, but not limited to:

• Forest stand improvement
• Critical area planting
• Fuel breaks

​Additionally, the new component also includes a stewardship requirement to build on existing conservation efforts that may include, but are not limited to:

• Reducing forest density
• Biochar production
• Creating structural diversity

Eligibility

Agricultural producers and Tribes who manage timber forest lands and are interested in long-term conservation solutions may be eligible.

Application Information and Documents* *Additional documents may be required

1. NRCS-CPA-1200 Conservation Program Application Form
2. FY2021 Arizona EQIP Conservation Incentive Contract Priority Areas Map (pdf)
3. FY2021 Arizona EQIP Conservation Incentive Contract Payment Schedule

Application Deadline: February 2, 2024

Additional NRCS programs include the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program, which provides assistance to local government sponsors with the cost of addressing watershed impairments or hazards such as damaged upland sites stripped of vegetation by wildfire, debris removal and streambank stabilization. 

Eligible sponsors include cities, counties, towns, or any federally recognized Native American tribe or tribal organization.

Sponsors must submit a formal request (via mail or email) to the state conservationist for assistance within 60 days of the natural disaster occurrence or 60 days from the date when access to the sites become available. For more information, visit the NRCS Disaster Assistance in Arizona page or contact your local NRCS office. 

“EWP provides immediate assistance to communities to mitigate potential hazards to life and property resulting from the fires and particularly the severe erosion and flooding that can occur after the fire,” Tatem said. “We can work with a local sponsor to help a damaged watershed so that lives and property are protected while preventing further devastation in the community.”

In addition to EWP, Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) is another valuable service that NRCS can provide following a wildfire. NRCS technical assistance can help fire victims with planning cost-effective post fire restoration practices.