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Role Of Natural Resource Agencies an Organizations in EQIP

The following agencies have programs available that will be helpful to producers in the area of natural resource management, especially as they relate to the Environmental Quality Incentive Program.

Arkansas Conservation Districts

Conservation Districts are political subdivisions of the State of Arkansas, created by a popular vote of resident landowners for the purpose of conserving land and water resources. The Conservation Districts establish natural resource priorities on the local level as well as provide local support and strong input into local soil and water conservation programs. They work cooperatively with landowners and governmental agencies to promote conservation programs on a local level. For more information, please contact: Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts, 101 East Capitol Avenue, Suite 350, Little Rock, AR 72201, (501) 682-2915.

Arkansas Department of Pollution Control and Ecology (ADPC&E)

One of the main duties of this state agency is to preserve and protect the quality of water of Arkansas so they will be reasonably available for all beneficial uses and thus promote the social welfare and economic well-being of the people of the state. The Arkansas Water and Air Pollution Control Act gives ADPC&E the authority to require permits for activities that have the potential to cause pollution to enter waters of the State. The Department maintains a staff of inspectors who perform routine inspections and investigate all complaints filed. For more information, contact: Arkansas Department of Pollution Control and Economy, 8001 National Drive, P. O. Box 8913, Little Rock, AR 72219-8913, (501) 682-0744.

Arkansas Forestry Commission

The mission of the Arkansas Forestry Commission is to protect and develop forestry resources of the state of Arkansas. The Commission offers a variety of technical assistance and service programs to promote sound forest management on private, non-industrial forest lands. Fore more information, contact your local county forester, or the Arkansas Forestry Commission, 3821 West Roosevelt Road, Little Rock, AR 72204 (501) 296-1940.

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

The Game and Fish Commission is responsible for managing the state's fish and wildlife resources to provide sustainable public hunting and fishing opportunity. The objective of the Commission is to control, manage, restore, conserve, and regulate Arkansas' abundant fish and wildlife resources. The AG&FC has programs available to assist the private landowner with natural resource issues. The Wildlife Management Division has six Private Lands Biologists (PLB) who know what state and federal programs are available and can assist farm producers in taking advantage of the various conservation programs.

PLBs can be reached at the following regional offices:

Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Commission (ASWCC)

The ASWCC has a non-regulatory mission to develop, manage, and protect water resources for the benefit of present and future generations. They are the lead agency in Arkansas for non-point source pollution. A major responsibility is monitoring water quality in Arkansas and assessing data to determine potential pollution sources. Tax credits and other incentives concerning water management issues are available through the ASWCC.  For more information, contact: Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Commission, 101 East Capitol, Suite 350, Little Rock, AR 72201, (501) 682-1611.

Ducks Unlimited

The mission of Ducks Unlimited is to fulfill the annual life cycle needs of North American Waterfowl by protecting, enhancing, restoring, and managing important wetlands and associated uplands. The objective of the Arkansas Partners Project is to return waterfowl to their northern breeding grounds physically conditioned for maximum reproductive success. DU has programs available to assist the private landowner with wildlife habitat issues.

For more information, please contact: Bill Noble, Arkansas Project Biologist, Ducks Unlimited, 3443 Highway 153, DeWitt, AR 72042, (870) 282-3788.

Farm Service Agency (FSA)

The FSA is the funding agency through which federal cost-sharing is provided to farmers and ranchers to encourage the conservation and environmental protection of agricultural land. For complete details, agricultural landowners and operators should contact their local FSA office or the Farm Service Agency, Room 5416, Federal Building, 700 West Capitol Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72203, (501) 324-5457.

Natural Resources Conservation Service

The Natural Resources Conservation Service is the technical soil and water conservation agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It is responsible for developing and carrying out a national program of conservation for land and water resources. NRCS is considered the lead governmental agency in the administration of EQIP. For information concerning specific EQIP projects, contact your local NRCS office of the United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Federal Building, Room 5404, 700 West Capitol Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72201, (501) 324-5446.

The nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy is an international, non-profit, science based membership organization. The Conservancy's mission is to preserve the plants, animals, and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. The Nature Conservancy offers creative and flexible conservation arrangements. Landowners can keep land and receive tax advantages through conservation agreements with the Nature Conservancy. The Conservancy works through voluntary and non-regulatory private action.  For more information, please contact: The Nature Conservancy, Arkansas Field Office, 601 North University Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72205 (501) 663-6699.

United States Fish and Wildlife Service

The mission of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service is to conserve, protect and enhance the Nation's fish and wildlife and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The FWS recognizes that the stewardship of natural resources on private lands is a necessary ingredient to the successful accomplishment of its mission, and it is resolved to promote that stewardship in partnership with the private landowner. For more information on ways the FWS can assist private landowners, please contact: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife and Habitat Management Office, P. O. Box 396, St. Charles, AR 72140, (870) 282-3213.

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB)

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is dedicated to developing means of addressing and solving existing socioeconomic problems for small, limited resource, and minority farmers. Through its Cooperative Extension Program and Small Farm Training and Technical Assistance Project, small landowners are assisted in record keeping, crop production, marketing, completing loan applications, diversifying their operations and utilizing various USDA programs. One such program is the EQIP. The Small Farm Project Staff will be providing limited resource farmers with additional information on EQIP and other conservation programs. For more information, contact the Small Farm Training and Technical Assistance Project at UAPB. The telephone number is (870) 543-8142.