NRCS sets Nov. 16 deadline

The United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service has set a Nov. 16 deadline for Texas landowners interested in signing up for the 2008 Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

The program provides financial assistance and incentive payments to landowners who apply approved conservation measures to protect natural resources.

Producers must submit an application by Nov. 16 and check with their local Farm Services Agency office and NRCS office to ensure all producer eligibility information is correct.

Producers are encouraged to do this as soon as possible.

Landowners from Lampasas and Burnet counties will receive the highest ranking points for applications that address the control of ashe juniper (cedar), mesquite and prickly pear with approved brush management methods and any associated re-vegetation practices as needed.

Applications for livestock pipelines, watering facilities, ponds, fencing and converting crop fields to permanent native grass or pasture will receive lower ranking points.

An incentive payment program for applicants who wish to apply prescribed grazing will be available.

Lampasas NRCS staff members are working out of the Burnet NRCS Field Office at 101 N. Pierce Street, Suite 2 in Burnet.

For more information, phone (512) 756-4651.

Additional information, including ranking criteria, eligible practices, incentive payments and financial assistance, is available on the Texas NRCS Web site at www.tx.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/.