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2007 EQIP Ground & Surface Water Information

The EQIP Ground & Surface Water (G&SW) process is statewide. Therefore, no local issues were solicited. Applicants have access to all of the applicable state or national questions listed below. The questions in the national priorities section are all equal in value with a maximum possible score of 25 (5 points each). The state issues questions have a maximum possible value of 100.

National Priorities

Each of the national questions has an equal value. Applicants have access to any of the questions that are applicable.

  • NATIONAL 1: Will the treatment you intend to implement using EQIP result in considerable reductions of non-point source pollution, such as nutrients, sediment, pesticides, excess salinity in impaired watersheds consistent with TMDL's where available as well as the reduction of groundwater contamination or point source contamination from confined animal feeding operations?
  • NATIONAL 2: Will the treatment you intend to implement using EQIP result in the conservation of a considerable amount of ground or surface water resources?
  • NATIONAL 3: Will the treatment you intend to implement using EQIP result in a considerable reduction of emissions, such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds, and ozone precursors and depleters that contribute to air quality impairment violations of National Ambient Air Quality Standards?
  • NATIONAL 4: Will the treatment you intend to implement using EQIP result in a considerable reduction in soil erosion and sedimentation from unacceptable levels on agricultural land?
  • NATIONAL 5: Will the treatment you intend to implement using EQIP result in a considerable increase in the promotion of at-risk species habitat conservation?
2007 Funding Process

In 2007, Montana NRCS is taking a new approach to prioritizing the EQIP G&SW applications. NRCS is using a screening tool to determine if application projects meet the statutory requirements of the EQIP G&SW program. If so, the screening tool will also establish a priority system whereby applications will compete for funding within each level of priority through a state issues ranking panel review. If the application is determined to not meet the intent of the EQIP G&SW program then it is ineligible for funding consideration.

2007 Application Screening Tool and Priority Establishment

1.    Does the application consist only of the decommissioning of one or more free-flowing artesian wells OR does the application include only facilitating practices that will provide an alternative water source to replace the well(s) being decommissioned? If yes, the application is preapproved for funding (pending fund availability). If no, then continue to question #2.

2.    Is the water savings of this project quantifiable and is the projected water savings at least 15% of the pre-project use (i.e., annual volume basis, flow rate for a period of time, critical dewatered period)? If yes, continue to question #3. If no, the application does not meet the intent of the program.

3.    Will the project adversely impact the ground water recharge in an identified recharge area? If yes, the application does not meet the intent of the program. If no, continue to question #4.

4.    Is the project going to be applied on an existing waterspreading system? If yes, the application does not meet the intent of the program. If no, continue to question #5.

5.    Will the conservation plan or contract include Irrigation Water Management (449) for on-farm irrigation projects? If yes, the application meets program intent and will be considered for funding through the ranking process. If no, the application does not meet the intent of the program. 

State Issues Ranking Panel Review Format

1.    (0-20 points)    How are water savings and the resulting environmental benefits quantified (water rights vs. actual water use history, methodologies of measurements, priority of water right being saved, likelihood that water saved will have an environmental benefit)?

2.    (0-20 points)    What methods, if any, are being used to guarantee that saved water is left in the source (i.e., water lease, water right change of use, canal company agreement, etc.)?

3.    (0-10 points)    Does the project address priority resource concerns identified by the Conservation District and/or Local Working Group?

4.    (0-50 points)    What are the environmental benefits of this project in the following area (0-5 points each): groundwater benefits (groundwater recharge); fisheries; in-stream flow/quantity/temperature/timing/duration; salinity; sedimentation/erosion; energy savings; water quality; wetlands; interbasin transfer impacts; other issues?

Contacts

Carrie Mosley, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs
Phone: 406-587-6967
Email: Carrie.Mosley

Last Modified: 07/28/2008

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