Environmental Quality Incentives Program EQIP Application and Evaluation

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Application and Evaluation Process and Ranking Tool Edward Brzostek EQIP Program Specialist NHQ

EQIP Application Evaluation and Ranking Process Considerations Revised EQIP Rule, May 2003, requires specific factors in evaluating and ranking applications n Variations in approaches, methodologies and processes among the States n Recommendations in the 2004 American Customer Satisfaction Index Report n Office of Inspector General, 2003 EQIP Survey n

Future EQIP Application Evaluation and Ranking Process n Revised EQIP Rule requires six major factors in the application and ranking process n Implementation of a National EQIP application evaluation and ranking process template

National Template Features n Automated n Consistent with the EQIP Rule n Flexibility for State and local priorities as identified by the State Conservationists, with input from State Technical Committees and Local Work Groups

National Template Features Continued n User Friendly n Transparent n Understandable n Includes the parallel development of a self -assessment tool

Efficiency Score The degree of cost-effectiveness of the proposed conservation practices n Treatment of multiple resource concerns n Use of conservation practices that provide environmental enhancements for a longer period of time n The magnitude of the environmental benefits resulting from the treatment of National priorities and the priority natural resource concerns reflecting the level of performance of a conservation practice n

Efficiency Score n Narrative CPPE impacts converted to quantitative values n -5 (represents the most negative impact a practice can have on a resource concern) to a +5 (represents the most positive impact a practice can have on a resource concern)

Efficiency Score

Summary Report n In addition to the summary report page, there will be an additional support page for each of the four scoring components (Efficiency, Local Issues, State Issues, and National Priorities) that make up the final ranking score. Each support page will explain why and how the applicant received the score they received for each component. This will help planners to explain the process to applicants and assist them in conservation planning to a level that will improve their chances of being approved for a contract.

Program Ranking Tool EQIP 2006

The Ranking module becomes active when a new application has a program, fiscal year, application number, participants, a state, county, servicing office, fund code, and the livestock question has been answered.

The Ranking tool name is the name of the selected fund code. The description helps the planner and applicant decide whether they have selected the appropriate tool.

EQIP Application Evaluation and Ranking Tool Pilot Plan n Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Washington

National Bulletin: 300 -5 -12 April 29, 2005 Subject: LTP – Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) n Action Required By: November 1, 2005 n Purpose: To provide national guidance on preparations needed to implement the EQIP Ranking Tool for Fiscal Year (FY) 2006.

n Expiration Date. December 30, 2005 n Background: State Conservationists will need to prepare required background information to populate the Ranking Tool according to dates listed in this bulletin. n November 1, 2005, is the target date for full implementation. States are required to use this tool for ranking all FY 2006 EQIP applications.