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US Dept. of Agriculture Announces 2008 Sign-up for Conservation Assistance on Forestland
State Conservationist Ron Alvarado of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced that New York forestland owners have until December 14, 2007 to apply for the 2008 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). EQIP is a voluntary conservation program that provides financial and technical assistance to landowners willing to implement practices to improve natural resources on privately owned agricultural land, including forestland.
Through EQIP, forestland owners can apply for financial and technical assistance to apply a variety of conservation and management practices that will improve the health and productivity of their forests, prevent soil erosion, and protect important habitat for atrisk wildlife species.
In order to qualify for the financial assistance, landowners must have a current New York State DEC-approved Landowner Forest Stewardship Plan. Practices for which they are seeking EQIP funding must be identified in the plan. NRCS is partnering with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Division of Lands and Forests to deliver the EQIP Forestry Program.
NYS DEC Foresters will help landowners identify the appropriate practices to address their forest management objectives, complete the ranking of their application, and advise them on the implementation of practices if they are selected for funding. "We are pleased to be working closely with our state forestry agency in order to assist New York landowners' efforts to protect and enhance their forestlands" Alvarado said. "Forests provide valuable environmental and economic benefits, and the financial and technical assistance available through EQIP can help to insure the long term health and sustainability of this important resource."
Landowners can apply for EQIP at their local USDANRCS office. The program is competitive, and applications are ranked based on national and state identified resource priorities and their overall benefit to the environment. All applications must be received by the local USDA NRCS office no later than December 14, 2007 to be considered for fiscal year 2008 funding.
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