News Release

ASSISTANCE FOR LANDOWNERS WITH PRACTICES DESTROYED OR DAMAGED DURING THE WINTER STORM OF JANUARY 2009

Updated 03/10/2009

United States Department of Agriculture

Natural Resources Conservation Service

771 Corporate Drive Suite 210

Lexington, KY 40503

Phone: 859-224-7350

Web: http://www.ky.nrcs.usda.gov

Lexington, Ky., February 18, 2009—Landowners who suffered damage to practices installed under the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) or Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) as a result of the January 2009 storm may be eligible to receive assistance to repair or reinstall those practices through the agency’s Equitable Relief process.

"After one of the most devastating winter storms the people of Kentucky have experienced, NRCS is working hard to bring relief to farmers," said Tom Perrin, State Conservationist for NRCS in Kentucky, “The Equitable Relief process is a way to keep our conservation practices on the ground working to the fullest potential.”

Equitable Relief must be approved by the USDA Office of General Counsel (OGC) and if approved, a new contract will be developed. To be eligible for Equitable Relief, the practice must have been cost-shared under EQIP or WHIP, must still be under the practice lifespan, was being maintained according to NRCS guidance, and must have received significant damage due to the storm. Practices which were in contracts that have been terminated or cancelled will not be considered for Equitable Relief.

Repair or replacement of practices may not be started until funding is approved. A waiver to begin a practice prior to receiving funding may be requested, however, until approved by OCG and NRCS, there is no guarantee of funding.

NRCS will accept requests for Equitable Relief at local USDA Service Centers until April 16, 2009.
 

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For more information, please contact your local NRCS district conservationist or Deena Wheby, Assistant State Conservation for Programs at (859)-224-7350.

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