Natural Resources Conservation Service
655 Parfet Street, Room E200C
Lakewood, Colorado 80215
720.544.2810______________________________________________________________________________________________
The starting point for the implementation of EQIP activity is the locally led conservation
process, beginning with the USDA Local Work Group (LWG). This group consists of local
governmental agencies that determine the resource needs and concerns in their area based on
input from a wide range of partner entities. The Local Work Groups were asked to consider the 5
major resource concerns that have been identified in Colorado when developing their
recommendations. These concerns were Non-Point Source Reduction-Animal Waste
Management, Grazing Lands, Reduction in Soil Erosion on Cropland, Wildlife, Forestry, and
Non-Point Source Reduction-Water Quality/Quantity. The LWG’s were convened by USDA in
cooperation with local Conservation Districts. The LWG’s determined the resource concerns in
their area and proposed ranking criteria to help address these concerns.
Input from the Local Work Groups was provided to the appropriate Watershed Work Group
(WWG). The WWG was convened by the Association of Conservation Districts watershed
president, and the group consisted of members from local Conservation Districts, partner
agencies, and agricultural, environmental, and wildlife groups. Based on LWG input, the WWG
determined the resource concerns for that watershed and made recommendations to NRCS
regarding the percent of funds to go to each issue, ranking criteria, eligible practices, cost share
rates, etc. Ranking criteria were developed by NRCS technical teams. Also developed were
“Screening” criteria. The purpose of the screening process is to place applicants in High,
Medium, and Low priority classes. This allows planning to concentrate on those applications
most likely to be funded first.
Utilizing the input from these WWG’s, the NRCS State Conservationist made recommendations
for resourc