2005 Environmental Quality Incentive Program

Local Work Group Summary for Carlsbad

Introduction:

The Carlsbad field office and the Carlsbad Soil and Water Conservation District are located in southeast New Mexico.  The Carlsbad field office provides assistance to producers in the southern half of Eddy County and the far eastern portion of Otero County.  The Carlsbad SWCD is in a semi-arid region with private rangeland and cropland along the Pecos River.  Alfalfa and cattle production are the main agricultural products in the area.

Local Work Group: 

The LWG meeting was held November 4, 2004 at Carlsbad Soil & Water Conservation District in Carlsbad, New Mexico at 10:00 am. The LWG is comprised of board members from Carlsbad SWCD’s.  Other members include NM Game and Fish, NM State Lands, The Bureau of Land Management, Farm Service Agency Representatives and board members, the NM Cooperative Extension Service and Forest Service. 

Priority Resource Concerns: 

The group agreed that the grazing land and water resources would address the resource problems in the work area.

Funding Considerations: 

EQIP funds allocated to the field office will be divided as follows:

• Grazing Lands (40%)
• Water Resources (60%)

Cost Docket:

The LWG reviewed the drafts of the Eddy County cost docket. Proposed changes were brought to their attention. The LWG concurred with the cost dockets.

Please refer to the links for the cost docket and eligible practices to view the final approved practices, cost share rates and component costs. 

Eligible Practices:

The LWG adopted all of the practices approved for New Mexico as being applicable to the Carlsbad work area.

Please refer to the links for the cost docket and eligible practices to view the final approved practices, cost share rates and component costs.   

Cost Share Rates, Incentives Payments and Caps:

The Local Work Group decided they want to leave cost share rates at 50% except practices as follows:

• 666 Forest stand improvement           75%
• 314 Brush management                     75%
• 464 Irrigation land leveling                 65%
• 428A Irrigation water conveyance       65%
• 430 Irrigation pipelines                       65%
• 587 Structures for water control          65%

The LWG felt that to do the size and scope of the brush problem and the cost to the producer to address this problem it would require a higher incentive payment. The group felt that the benefits to rangeland following brush management go far beyond just increased forage for the producer. The benefits extend to the general public as a whole in improved rangeland health; improved water shed condition, and improved wildlife habitat. The LWG is requesting 75% cost share for brush management and forest stand improvement in the work area. Practice limits were discussed and the group agreed that they were needed 

A $50,000 per practice financial assistance cap has been established for all practices included in grazing lands and irrigated crop contracts.

Please refer to the links for the cost docket and eligible practices to view the final approved practices, cost share rates and component costs. 

Ranking Criteria:

Draft ranking criteria was presented to the group. It was reviewed in detail and approved by the group.

Ties between producers were discussed.  The group’s recommendations in the event of a tie is the percentage of operating unit in contract is to be used if needed to break a tie.

 Please refer to the ranking criteria links to view the final approved criteria.

Timelines, Evaluation Periods:

All applications and any supporting documents must be submitted by January 28, 2005.

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