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FEDERAL
- EQIP- The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a cost-share based program to assist landowners and farmers with installation of conservation practices. Cost share rates vary from 50% to 90% depending on eligibility. This program is based on natural resource concerns on private lands. Resource concerns include soil erosion, water quality, grassland and livestock management, air quality, wildlife and animal waste management.
- CRP- The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is administered through the USDA Farm Service Agency; however, NRCS provides technical assistance with planning and installation of conservation practices. This program converts cropland to wildlife grasslands or forestland, establishes wildlife friendly borders around cropland, converts marginal pastureland to wildlife areas and installs shallow water impoundments in site specific areas. Contracts are 10-15 years with annual payments based on acres, habitat and soil criteria.
- CSP- The Conservation Security Program (CSP) is based on selected watersheds determined at the National level. The Upper Cape Fear River watershed was selected in 2005 for qualifying landowners. This program is based on existing environmental stewardship and rewards the producers for their work. Program signup is limited and cycles around every 7 years.
- CTA- Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) is the backbone of the Natural Resources Conservation Service agency. We provide free technical assistance and planning, in partnership with the Lee SWCD, to landowners and farmers requesting solutions to natural resource needs. Conservation Plans, Grazing Plans, Animal Waste Management Plans, Nutrient and Pest Management Plans, and Forest/Wildlife Management Plans are produced for each client in order for them to restore, enhance and improve their resources.
STATE
- NCACSP- The North Carolina Agriculture Cost-Share Program - (NCACSP) was created in 1984 to address nonpoint source problems in “nutrient sensitive” waters. It was expanded statewide in 1989 which brought Lee County into the program. The program allows 75% reimbursement of predetermined average costs to applicants for installing Best Management Practices (BMPs). All BMPs are intended to improve water quality and many have numerous secondary benefits. Applicants must meet certain program eligibility criteria. Some of the more popular BMPs requested are terraces, grassed waterways, field borders, cropland conversion, livestock exclusion, livestock watering facilities and poultry litter storage structures.
- AgWRAP-The NC Agricultural Water Resources Program (AgWRAP) was implemented on July 1, 2011, and provides cost share and technical assistance for the implementation of BMPs to increase water use efficiency, availability and storage for agricultural purposes. Livestock irrigation wells, pond repairs and new ponds are popular practices.
- CCAP- The NC Community Conservation Assistance Program was implemented on July 1, 2007, and provides cost share and technical assistance for the implementation of SMPs on urban, suburban and rural lands not involved in agricultural production. Abandoned well closure, backyard rain gardens, grassed swales and stream restoration are popular practices.