Name Title Location, Kansas Helping People Help the Land Attachment 3 to Bulletin KS dated 7/30/2012

The state conservationist (STC) is seeking local work group (LWG) recommendations for Farm Bill Programs: Resource concerns to be addressed Eligible practices to be offered Payment rates (e.g., 50 percent or 75 percent cost share) Ranking criteria to be considered The STC is accepting comments to be forwarded to national headquarters (NHQ) for Landscape Initiatives

Cut – Off Dates Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) General ― November 16, 2012 Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) dates to be announced Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) dates not yet known Initiative dates to be announced

Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP) This program may not be combined with others in the new Farm Bill Kansas has four approved AWEP Proposals CSP EQIP WHIP This program may be combined with EQIP in the new Farm Bill

59 applications received —includes cancelled, ineligible, and pending applications 34 contracts approved —all eligible applications were approved $3,716,386 total obligations Over 5,180 total contracted acres

AWEP is used in partnership with state and local government organizations Each partner determines in their proposal Eligible Practices Resource Concerns Payment Rates Ranking Criteria Eligible Project Area

623 applications received —includes cancelled, ineligible, and pending applications 451 contracts approved —all eligible applications were approved $11,310,078 total obligations Over 858,622 total contracted acres

The CSP began in 2009 with the first contracts being obligated in FY 2010 The purpose of this program is for producers to address resource concerns by Completing new conservation practices Improving, maintaining, and managing existing conservation activities Annual enhancement payments are offered and vary according to the signup

CSP is a nationally managed program which means suggestions are accepted but the following are predetermined by the agency when the program is announced Eligible Enhancements Resource Concerns Payment Rates Ranking Criteria

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) nationally offered eight different initiatives that Kansas took part in to address specific resource concerns in FY 2012

Missouri River Corridor Cover Crop Initiative—EQIP National Water Quality Initiative—EQIP Ogallala Aquifer Initiative—EQIP On-Farm Energy Initiative—EQIP Organic Initiative—EQIP Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative—EQIP Working Lands for Wildlife—WHIP Lesser Prairie-Chicken—EQIP and WHIP

53 applications received —includes cancelled, ineligible, and pending applications 25 contracts approved —all eligible applications approved $741,854 total obligations Approximately 20,902 total contracted acres

2012 was the first year and funding was provided through the WHIP It is an effort between the NRCS and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that leverages capabilities and resources and targets assistance where it is most needed There were only seven species targeted, and in Kansas the Lesser Prairie-Chicken was selected and the eligible area was determined by a multi- state group (Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas)

Comments or recommendations for resource concerns, eligible practices, payment rates, and ranking criteria that we could take forward to the multi-state group?

3,074 applications received (includes all ranking categories and initiatives) 998 contracts approved $19,177,835 total obligations 237,388 total contracted acres

60 percent of funds must be obligated to address livestock–related issues Kansas has 12 different ranking categories under general EQIP that offer financial assistance to address various resource concerns Conservation plans received prior to August 31 receive bonus points

Conservation Activity Plans contracts are available for the development of the following: Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan Nutrient Management Plan Irrigation Water Management

Forestland Health Grazing Lands Health Livestock Waste Sedimentation Above Federal Reservoirs Tribal Water Quality/Cropland Health Water Quantity/Quick Response Areas (QRA) Water Quantity Wildlife Habitat

The STC requests input for the following Eligible Practices Resource Concerns Primary Resource Concerns Secondary Resource Concerns Payment Rates Ranking Criteria

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all of its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex (including gender identity and expression), marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, political beliefs, genetic information, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) (voice and TDD).