OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - Farmers and ranchers in selected watersheds have the opportunity to apply for 2010 Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) funds for needed grassland management practices benefiting their livestock operation and providing additional conservation benefits to quail habitat.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation are pleased to announce a cooperative effort available to farmers and ranchers through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) in Adair, Cherokee, Coal, Craig, Ellis, Johnston, Hughes, Pontotoc, Roger Mills, and Woodward counties. The NRCS and the Wildlife Department have worked together to develop a program tailored to the needs of agriculture producers that will also provide additional benefits to the Northern Bobwhite Quail.
The Quail Habitat Restoration Initiative (QHRI) was developed to benefit quail and farmers in specific areas of the state. Initially, five focal areas were selected based on meetings with local resource professionals, local producers, and local habitat conditions.
“Using information from the landowners, we tried to tailor a program to meet their production needs as well as address the habitat needs of quail,” said Erik Bartholomew, quail habitat biologist for the Wildlife Department.
This program is unique in that more incentives will be offered to landowners than were previously available through the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP).
“For those landowners who may not have the resources, there are incentives and cost-share assistance available to control cedars and thin timber to increase the amount of native vegetation for cows and wildlife,” Bartholomew said.
Applications for quail habitat conservation in the EQIP are accepted on a continuous basis. However, only applications received by Dec. 31, 2009, will be ranked and considered during this selection period. Those applications that are received will then be ranked and will be put into a statewide pool for funding. Successful applicants will be notified soon after April 12, 2010, for eventual contract development until the available funds are obligated. Unfunded applications will be maintained for future funding consideration if the applicant chooses to remain on the waiting list.
Farmers and ranchers interested in participation in EQIP may apply at any time at the local NRCS office. For more information contact your local NRCS office or contact Bartholomew at (405) 684-1929. All applications received will be evaluated according to the statewide ranking criteria as workload permits and reviewed for potential funding as program allocations become available.
