INDIANA BULLETIN NO. 300-8-2

SUBJECT: LTP – Environmental Quality Incentives Program Fiscal Year 2008 Ranking – Local Priorities

Purpose: To distribute guidance on establishing the Local Ranking Priorities for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program Fiscal Year 2008 Ranking System.

Expiration Date: September 30, 2008.

Action Required By: November 14, 2007 - Local Ranking Priorities must be submitted to the Area Office.

NRCS Indiana will use the National Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Ranking System through ProTracts in fiscal year 2008. The Local Ranking Priorities process will be the same as that used in NRCS Indiana in fiscal year 2007.

The Local Work Group should consist of individuals from all public and private entities interested in conservation in the county. At a minimum, members of the following entities should be invited to participate in the Local Work Group:

• NRCS designated conservationist

• Member(s) of the Conservation District board(s) or equivalent

• Member(s) of the County FSA Committee

• FSA county executive director or designee

• Cooperative Extension (board members or manager)

• State or local elected or appointed officials

• Other Federal and State government representatives

1. oIndiana Department of Natural Resources – Division of Fish and Wildlife

2. oIndiana Department of Natural Resources – Division of Forestry

3. oIndiana State Department of Agriculture

4. oIndiana Department of Environmental Management – Watershed Specialists

5. oUS Fish & Wildlife Service Biologists

6. oOthers

• Others (livestock groups, commodity groups, not-for-profit groups, etc.)

DIST: O In fiscal year 2008, Field Offices are required to contact the Local Work Group members who were involved in the fiscal year 2007 EQIP local ranking criteria and gather input on whether any changes are needed. If no changes are requested, the fiscal year 2007 local ranking will be used for fiscal year 2008. If changes are requested by the Local Work Group, the most efficient method to make any necessary changes (face-to-face meetings, email, etc.) will be used to establish the fiscal year 2008 Local Ranking.

Attached is a list of the eligible resource concerns for FY08 EQIP and/or priority watershed opportunities, collectively referred to as “resource priorities”. Further, the resource priorities are grouped into 9 categories. Resource Concerns are defined in the NRCS General Manual, Title 450, Part 401, Subpart C -http://policy.nrcs.usda.gov/scripts/lpsiis.dll/GM/gm_450_401_c.htm.

If watersheds are selected as a resource priority, they will count against the 10 available. For example, if 2 watersheds are chosen, 8 resource concerns may be chosen.

The attached list of resource priorities must be submitted to the Area Program Specialist, or other Area Staff as designated by the Area Conservationist, by Close of Business on November 14, 2007. Each county’s list will be maintained and archived at the local level for reference during ranking, as well as at the Area level for Quality Assurance purposes.

Questions related to this bulletin will be coordinated through Harold Thompson, Assistant State Conservationist – Programs, at (317) 290-3200, ext. 386, or to Shannon Zezula, State Resource Conservationist, at ext. 388.

/s/

JANE E. HARDISTY State Conservationist

Attachment

cc: Indiana State Technical Committee