NEWS RELEASE

 

United States Department of Agriculture                                    

Natural Resources Conservation Service

                                                                                                            6013 Lakeside Boulevard

                                                                                                            Indianapolis, IN  46278

                                                                                                            www.in.nrcs.usda.gov

 

 

EQIP Dollars Available for Livestock Producers

 

            INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 6, 2007—Owners of confined feeding operations with immediate environmental emergencies can again turn to a USDA conservation program for financial assistance to correct the situation. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has allocated a portion of the $9.0 million funding from this year’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for livestock producers to deal with failures and impending failures in manure storage facilities, who are experiencing mass animal mortality situations, or who want a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan.

 

            NRCS is accepting these applications now. Applications that are determined eligible will be funded on a first-come first-served basis, as long as these EQIP financial assistance funds are available.

 

            “Producers with confined livestock systems can have unique resource concerns, and EQIP gives us an opportunity to help these producers address concerns specific to their industry.  This will have a positive impact on the local environment, and cumulative positive effects in the state,” said NRCS State Conservationist Jane Hardisty.  “We have given our district conservationists specific guidance on how to work with producers who have systems that are leaking, have some failed structural components or components in danger of imminent failure, or have experienced mass animal mortality.”

 

            “The other thing we are including in this effort is development of Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans (CNMP) for confined feeding operations. A CNMP covers all aspects of an animal feeding operation, including manure tests, storage, handling, and application on fields along with commercial fertilizers,” says Hardisty.  “The CNMP may give producers the plan they need to comply with state and other guidelines, as well.”

 

            Applicants currently under an Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) enforcement action are not eligible for EQIP.

 

            Confined feeding operators can find out more by contacting their local USDA Service Center.

 

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Contact:

Jane E. Hardisty, State Conservationist, NRCS, (317) 290-3200

Michael McGovern, Public Affairs Specialist, NRCS, (317) 290-3200, ext. 324