2003 Environmental Quality Incentive Program

Local Work Group Summary for Tucumcari

Introduction:

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Tucumcari Field Office is located on the East Central side of the state in Quay County and covers two conservation districts. The agricultural setting of Quay County includes about 87% Rangeland, 3% Irrigated Cropland, and 10% Dry Cropland.

Local Work Group:

The Local Work Group meeting for the Tucumcari Field Office was held on March 27, 2003. This Work Group was lead by the Canadian River Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and the Southwest Quay Soil and Water Conservation District. Members that attended include:

Priority Resource Concerns:

The Priority Resource Concerns include Rangeland, Dry Cropland, Irrigated Cropland, and Buffers.

BUFFER RESOURCE CONCERN

The Local Work Group for Quay County proposed that a resource concern for tree plantings be considered for the area. Tree and shrub plantings are important to the work plans of both District Boards which are in Quay County. However, some projects may not receive consideration in the normal concern areas due to limitations in funding and other hindrances. In some cases, the plantings may impact areas used for the production of agricultural products but may not be on the areas such as farmstead windbreaks and woody plant proposals. They may not be eligible for WHIP for various reasons. However, wildlife will be impacted by these areas and in some cases, species at risk may be present. Windbreaks and tree plantings may not be carried out as much as is desirable if some incentive is not present to interest land users. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the Local Work Group (LWG) that this Special Emphasis Area be included in the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) for Quay County.

Funding Considerations:

The funding was allocated as:

• 62% to Rangeland
• 23% to Irrigated Cropland
• 10% to Dry Cropland
• 5% to Buffers

Cost Docket: Refer to Cost Docket

Practices to be Eligible: Refer to Eligible Practices...

Cost Share Rate and Incentive Payments:

TREE PLANTING: 380, 612, 650: LWG recommended that all tree plantings be cost shared at 75% rate. This practice is a high priority item with both district boards in Quay County. Tree plantings are important to a great many resource concerns. Wildlife will benefit from the planting of trees and shrubs. Soil erosion will be reduced on cropland and other land uses from the implementation of windbreaks. The LWG feels that the tree planting practices will not be utilized to the extent necessary to impact these concerns at anything less than if the cost share rate is set at 75% of the actual cost not to exceed the maximum listed cost. In addition, the LWG will recommend in a separate part of this proposal that money be used for a buffer or windbreak special emphasis project.

RANGE SEEDING: 550: LWG recommended that Range Seedings be cost shared at 75% rate. Range seeding is a high impact practice in both districts and both Districts have made it a priority. All soils in the county are classed as highly erodible and without cover, erosion is severe. Wildlife will be benefited by planting wildlife friendly species of grass and native plants. The cost of carrying out a seeding practice is high and without added incentive, not many customers who need this practice will be inclined to carry it out. In order to increase the number of acres that are converted to less erodible cover, the higher rate is recommended.

DIVERSIONS AND TERRACES: 600, 362, 356: LWG recommends that the cost share rate for diversions and terraces be set at 65%. Water erosion is a severe problem in the county. The cost of earthwork is high as no contractors are close by. In addition, this is a cost to the producer which will not be offset by an increase in profitability. In order to encourage producers to use these extremely beneficial practices, the higher rate is recommended. Not much earthwork has been carried out recently due to high cost and the added incentive would increase the interest. This would be the only way that the amount of these practices would be increased.

BRUSH MANAGEMENT: 314: Brush management is a high impact practice in this area. Brush, particularly mesquite, is increasing in the area and many acres of land are being reduced in production due to this invasion. In addition, it has been shown that management of brush improves the underground aquifers where it is carried out. Also, wildlife habitat will be improved when management is performed. The cost of management is high and in many case not much profit will be realized from the performance of the practice. Most producers will be discouraged from doing it unless the incentive is high enough to help them. There fore the LWG recommends that the rate be set at 65%.

Timelines, Evaluation Periods:

The deadline for accepting applications for FY 2003 was March 14, 2003. Applications will be ranked as proposals are approved.  EQIP Funds will be obligated by July 3, 2003.

< Back to EQIP County Documents