Various criteria relating to Conservation Practices for the Environmental
Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) in Maryland
The information offered below highlights some important facets of the practices. The information in
italics refers to EQIP eligibility issues.
In all cases, the full practice standard must be met in order for EQIP cost-sharing certification to occur.
360 - Closure of (abandoned animal) Waste (storage) Impoundments - This practice applies to
agricultural waste impoundments that are no longer needed as a part of a waste management system and
are to be permanently closed or converted.
This practice may be applied as part of a conservation management system to support one or more of the
following purposes.
• To protect the quality of surface water and groundwater resources.
• To eliminate a safety hazard for humans and livestock
• To safeguard the public health.
However, to be eligible for EQIP cost sharing, the abandoned facility must be an identified source of
impairment to surface and/or groundwater. NRCS will consult with MDE and seek concurrence as to the
extent of the water quality problem before applications will be approved for cost sharing.
Cost sharing is limited to 50% of eligible costs. Eligible cost and the annual limits per application for this
practice and related practices is $40,000 (i.e. the EQIP cost-sharing assistance level is $20,000).
For evaluation scoring, fill in Statewide 05 - 1d and 1e.
317 - Composting Facility - This is a treatment component of an agricultural management system for the
biological stabilization of organic material. The purpose of the practice is to reduce the pollution
potential of organic agricultural by-products to surface and ground water.
This practice applies where:
• Organic waste material is generated by agricultural production or processing;
• A composting facility is a planned component of a comprehensive nutrient management plan
(CNMP) or a Waste Management Plan;
• The composting facility can be