VENEMAN ANNOUNCES THE AVAILABILITY OF $10 MILLION IN EQIP FUNDING TO DROUGHT-STRICKEN STATES

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2002-Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced the release of nearly $10 million in previously unallocated FY2002 funds for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). These funds will allow the Natural Resources Conservation Service to continue to implement the program this fiscal year, as authorized in the 2002 Farm Bill.

"The majority of these funds will be directed to states most severely impacted by the drought," said Veneman. "This will provide assistance to help agricultural producers implement conservation practices in an effort to prevent further damage to natural resources resulting from the drought."

EQIP is a voluntary conservation program that promotes environmental quality and assists producers to meet local, state and federal regulations. Funds will help farmers and ranchers install conservation practices to reduce soil erosion, improve water use efficiencies and protect grazing land.

EQIP funds made available in FY 2002 total $414 million. This includes the initial allocation of $187 million, plus $227 million from the 2002 Farm Bill. The $10 million announced today is targeted to help states where natural resources have been severely damaged by drought. The 2002 Farm Bill represents an unprecedented investment in conservation on America's private lands, nearly $13 billion over the next six years.

Additional information on EQIP and other conservation programs is on the Web at http://nrcs.usda.gov/programs/farmbill/2002/products.html . Information to deal with drought is available at http://drought.fsa.usda.gov/ .

A list of funds by state follows:

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