SD-FS-51
November 2006
An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
South Dakota Fact Sheet
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
INCENTIVES PROGRAM (EQIP)
Ground and Surface Water Conservation (GSWC)
Overview
The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of
2002 (the 2002 Farm Bill) authorizes the Ground
and Surface Water Conservation (GSWC) provision
of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program
(EQIP). The EQIP GSWC provision allows for
additional water saving funding in the High Plains
Aquifer region.
The purpose of this provision is to install "water
savings" practices in agricultural operations,
particularly in cropland. Water savings means
actions that will:
•
Improve irrigations systems.
• Enhance irrigation efficiencies.
• Convert to less water intensive commodities
or dry land farming.
•
Improve water storage through water
banking and groundwater recharge.
• Mitigate the effects of the drought.
•
Include other practices that improve
groundwater or surface water conservation,
as deemed by the USDA secretary.
These funds can be provided through cost-share
and incentive payments.
Drought Disaster Assistance
Historically, EQIP GSWC funding was only
available for the seven South Dakota counties
covered by a portion of the High Plains Aquifer;
however, funding is available statewide for Fiscal
Year 2007. The EQIP GSWC funds will be used to
implement conservation measures that result in net
savings in groundwater or surface water resources
in the agricultural operation of the producer. Net
savings means a producer implements water
conservation activities such as enhanced irrigation
efficiencies; improve water storage measures, or
dry land farming. The net savings is not
transferable. Priority will be given to the following:
• High Plains Aquifer (Ogallala);
• Belle Fourche and Angostura Reservoirs;
and
• Big Sioux Aquifer.
EQIP GSWC Provision Information
• Cost-share and incentive payments for
irrigation system practices are only eligible
on land that ha