USDA released the final rule for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) received about 600 comments on the interim final rule, published last December. The comments on the interim rule led NRCS to further update the final rule.
In the final rule, NRCS addressed resource concerns for organic producers; revised ranking protocols to include consideration of an applicant’s status under the Conservation Reserve Program; adjusted the definition for a “comprehensive nutrient management plan”; modified a plan of operations that includes implementation of a comprehensive nutrient management plan; included soil health and weather and drought resilience in the national priorities; modified the Conservation Innovation Grants to include field research; and reduced matching requirements for Conservation Innovation Grant projects for historically underserved producers.
