[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 10]
[Revised as of January 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR1466.5]

[Page 685]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
  CHAPTER XIV--COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 
PART 1466_ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM--Table of Contents
 
                      Subpart A_General Provisions
 
Sec. 1466.5  National Allocation and Management.

    The Chief allocates EQIP funds to the State Conservationists to 
implement EQIP at the state and local level. In order to optimize the 
overall environmental benefits over the duration of the program, the 
Chief of NRCS will:
    (a) Use an EQIP fund allocation formula that reflects National 
priorities and measures and that uses available natural resource and 
resource concerns data to distribute funds to the state level. This 
procedure will be updated periodically to reflect adjustments to 
National priorities and information about resource concerns and program 
performance. The data used in the allocation formula will be updated as 
it becomes available.
    (b) Provide a performance incentive to NRCS in States that 
demonstrate a high level of program performance in implementing EQIP. 
Performance incentives shall consider factors such as strategically 
planning EQIP implementation, effectively addressing National priorities 
and measures and state and local resource concerns, the effectiveness of 
program delivery, the use of Technical Service Providers, and the number 
of contracts with Limited Resource Producers and Beginning Farmers. 
These funds will be made available annually from a reserve established 
at the National level when funds become available.
    (c) Use NRCS's accountability system to establish state level EQIP 
performance goals and treatment objectives.
    (d) Ensure that National, state and local level information 
regarding program implementation such as resource priorities, eligible 
practices, ranking processes, allocation of base and reserve funds, and 
program achievements is made available to the public.
    (e) Consult with State Conservationists and other Federal agencies 
with the appropriate expertise and information when evaluating the 
considerations described in this section.
    (f) Authorize the State Conservationist, with advice from the State 
Technical Committee and Local Work Groups, to determine how funds will 
be used and how the program will be administered to achieve National 
priorities and measures in each state.
    (g) Move towards assessment, evaluation and accountability based on 
actual natural resource and environmental outcomes and results.

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