# 2008 County Irrigated Land Information (Montana)

The ranking criteria questions for the [National
Priorities](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#national%23national),
[State
Issues](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#state%23state),
and [Local
Issues](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#local%23local)
are as follows:

###### National Priorities

Each of the national questions has an equal value. Applicants have
access to any of the questions that are applicable.

-   NATIONAL 1: Will the treatment you intend to implement using EQIP
    result in considerable reductions of non-point source pollution,
    such as nutrients, sediment, pesticides, excess salinity in impaired
    watersheds, groundwater contamination or point source contamination
    from confined animal feeding operations?

-   NATIONAL 2: Will the treatment you intend to implement using EQIP
    result in a considerable amount of ground or surface water
    conservation?

-   NATIONAL 3: Will the treatment you intend to implement using EQIP
    result in a considerable reduction of emissions, such as particulate
    matter, nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds, and ozone
    precursors and depleters that contribute to air quality impairment
    violations of National Ambient Air Quality Standards?

-   NATIONAL 4: Will the treatment you intend to implement using EQIP
    result in a considerable reduction in soil erosion and sedimentation
    from unacceptable levels on agricultural land?

-   NATIONAL 5: Will the treatment you intend to implement using EQIP
    result in a considerable increase in the promotion of at-risk
    species habitat conservation?

###### State Issues

Applicants have access to any of the state questions that are
applicable.

-   IRRIGATED LAND 1: Does the applicant use a Resource Management
    System (RMS) conservation plan developed within the last 5 years?

-   IRRIGATED LAND 2: Does the applicant use a progressive conservation
    plan developed within the last 5 years?

-   IRRIGATED LAND 3: Does the applicant meet one or more of the
    following conditions:\
    a. Has the applicant never had an EQIP contract;\
    b. Did the applicant successfully complete any past EQIP contract(s)
    in full compliance; or,\
    c. If the applicant has an existing EQIP contract has it been, and
    is it now, on schedule and in full compliance?

-   IRRIGATED LAND 4: Does the application assist the producer meet or
    avoid the need for their animal feeding operation (AFO) to be
    regulated as a point source under the Clean Water Act and/or the
    Montana Water Quality Act?

-   IRRIGATED LAND 5: Does the application include the development and
    implementation of an integrated pest management plan (IPM) for
    noxious weeds on the impacted non-cropland acres of the operation?
    (Pest management is not eligible for cost-share on cropland.)

-   IRRIGATED LAND 6: Does the application include the development and
    implementation of a treatment plan for noxious weeds on the impacted
    non-cropland acres of the operation? (Pest management is not
    eligible for cost-share on cropland.)

-   IRRIGATED LAND 7: Does the application benefit critical fish,
    wildlife, or plant species and assist the producer meet or avoid the
    need to be regulated under the Endangered Species Act?

-   IRRIGATED LAND 8: Does the application benefit critical fish,
    wildlife, or plant species identified as Species of Concern by
    Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Montana Natural Heritage
    Program?

-   IRRIGATED LAND 9: Does the application directly benefit fish and/or
    wildlife species habitat (not covered above)?

-   IRRIGATED LAND 10: Does the application directly benefit sage grouse
    habitat identified by the MT Fish, Wildlife, and Parks?

-   IRRIGATED LAND 11: Does the application benefit pollinator species
    through the seeding of pollinator friendly seeding mixes on ½ to 5
    acres of land? (Must be in accordance with Montana NRCS Biology
    Technical Note Number MT-20, December 2004.)

-   IRRIGATED LAND 12: Does the application benefit pollinator species
    through the seeding of pollinator friendly seeding mixes on more
    than 5 acres of land? (Must be in accordance with Montana NRCS
    Biology Technical Note Number MT-20, December 2004.)

-   IRRIGATED LAND 13: Is the applicant an active member of a group
    conservation effort or plan? (An active member would be someone who
    attends more than 50% of the group meetings and/or is working with
    the group coordinator. Conservation Districts are not considered
    groups for the purpose of this question and are not eligible for the
    points.)

-   IRRIGATED LAND 14: Does the proposed project lie in a 6-digit
    watershed listed on the 303(d)-list identified by NRCS through the
    determination tool AND does the application propose to address a
    water quality criteria that is listed as an impairment for the
    stream?

-   IRRIGATED LAND 15: Does the application result in the implementation
    of any one of the following innovative technologies?\
    a. Precision agriculture\
    b. Nutritional Balancer (NutBal)\
    c. Grazingland Spatial Analysis Tool (GSAT)\
    d. Certified organic farming or ranching\
    e. Precision irrigation\
    f. Micro irrigation\
    g. Dual nozzles\
    h. Lepa, or Lesa pivot systems\
    i. Pivots with panels that use automatic continuous moisture
    monitoring technologies\
    j. Self cleaning fish screens\
    k. On-farm composting\
    l. Feed management\
    m. Alternative Energy

-   IRRIGATED LAND 16: Does the application include the conversion of a
    flood irrigation system to a sprinkler system where the corners will
    not be flood irrigated?

-   IRRIGATED LAND 17: Does the application include the transfer of
    waters rights conserved from an irrigation efficiency project to a
    qualified leasing entity?

-   IRRIGATED LAND 18: Does the application include the change in use of
    water rights conserved from an irrigation efficiency project to
    instream flow?

-   IRRIGATED LAND 19: Is a fish screen installed at the stream
    diversion point?

-   IRRIGATED LAND 20: Does the application include an irrigation
    project that will increase irrigation efficiency by 20% or more
    according to an NRCS-approved design?

-   IRRIGATED LAND 21: Will the application result in increased flows to
    a dewatered stream reach identified in the Montana Fish, Wildlife
    and Parks Dewatered Stream list?

-   IRRIGATED LAND 22: Does this application result in direct benefits
    to irrigation induced erosion from irrigation conveyance systems or
    farm fields?

-   IRRIGATED LAND 23: Does the application include the contracting of
    cost-shareable management practices?

###### Local Issues

Each application has access only to those questions designated for the
county (in some cases the designated geographic area follows
conservation district or tribal boundaries). If no questions are listed
for the county in the list below, then the Local Working Group did not
allocate funds to this land use.

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  [Big Horn](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#big horn%23big horn)\             [Flathead                                                                                                                                [Missoula](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#missoula%23missoula)\      [Rosebud](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#rosebud%23rosebud)\
  [Blaine](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#blaine%23blaine)\                   Reservation](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#flathead reservation%23flathead reservation)\     [Phillips](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#phillips%23phillips)\      [Sanders](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#sanders%23sanders)\
  [Cascade](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#cascade%23cascade)\                [Ft. Peck                                                                                                                                [Pondera](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#pondera%23pondera)\         [Stillwater](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#stillwater%23stillwater)\
  [Crow Tribe](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#crow%23crow)\                   Reservation](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#fort peck reservation%23fort peck reservation)\   [Powder River](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#powder%23powder)\      [Teton](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#teton%23teton)\
  [Custer](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#custer%23custer)\                   [Glacier](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#glacier%23glacier)\                                  [Prairie](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#prairie%23prairie)\         [Treasure](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#treasure%23treasure)\
  [Dawson](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#dawson%23dawson)\                   [Granite](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#granite%23granite)\                                  [Ravalli](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#ravalli%23ravalli)\         [Valley](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#valley%23valley)\
  [Deer Lodge](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#deer%23deer)\                   [Judith Basin](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#judith%23judith)\                               [Richland](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#richland%23richland)\      [Wheatland](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#wheatland%23wheatland)\
  [Fergus](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#fergus%23fergus)\                   [Lincoln](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#lincoln%23lincoln)\                                  [Roosevelt](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#roosevelt%23roosevelt)    [Yellowstone](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#yellowstone%23yellowstone) 
  [Flathead                                                                                                              [Lower Musselshell CD](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#lower%23lower)\                                                                                                                                         
  County](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#flathead county%23flathead county)   [McCone](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#mccone%23mccone)\                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                         [Meagher](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#meagher%23meagher)\                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                         [Mineral](http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip2008/irrigatedland2008.html#mineral%23mineral)                                                                                                                                                   

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-   BIG HORN 1: Is this the first EQIP application; or are all existing
    contracts current; or does project involve multiple producers?

-   BIG HORN 2: Does the application develop wildlife habitat on pivot
    corners or does it replace wildlife habitat acres lost to open ditch
    conversion?

-   BIG HORN 3: Does the application follow a total Resource Management
    Systems Plan? This includes Irrigation Water Management (449),
    Nutrient (590), Pest (595) Crop Residue (344 or 329), and crop
    rotation (328) Management as applicable.

-   BIG HORN 4: Does the application apply innovative technologies,
    e.g., Precision Agriculture?

-   BIG HORN 5: Does the application include measurable irrigation water
    savings of 17% or greater?

-   BLAINE 1: Does the implementation of a practice increase on-farm
    water use efficiency by at least 15%? Examples include, but are not
    limited to , gated pipe, pivot, surge valve, land leveling.

-   BLAINE 2: Are water quality concerns assessed by sample testing at
    farm inlet and outlet points?

-   BLAINE 3: If you do not have a comprehensive noxious weed management
    program, would you start one? A comprehensive weed management
    program includes locating the weed infestation, recording the
    location with GPS, mapping the locations, spraying and keeping a
    detailed record of spray application. This applies to incidental
    areas of cropland such as between fields, etc. (Cropped acres are
    not eligible for cost-share.)

-   BLAINE 4: If irrigation water management is not practiced will it be
    implemented? IWM, as a minimum, includes soil moisture monitoring,
    keeping a water budget, and scheduling water applications based off
    of the budget results.

-   BLAINE 5: Will an open ditch be converted to a buried mainline?

-   CASCADE 1: Does this application address irrigation induced erosion
    resulting from erosive irrigation conveyance delivery systems?

-   CASCADE 2: Does this application include adoption of precision
    agriculture methodologies on flood irrigated land?

-   CASCADE 3: Does this application include adoption of yield
    monitoring for precision agriculture to fine tune nutrient
    management strategies? (Application must include variable rate
    application of nutrients.)

-   CASCADE 4: Does this application result in conversion from surface
    irrigation to center pivots or linear move sprinklers without flood
    irrigating corners?

-   CASCADE 5: Does this application include installation of
    conservation buffers?

-   CROW TRIBE 1: Does the application include a Resource Management
    System (RMS) plan that includes irrigation water management (449),
    conservation crop rotation (328), pest management (595), nutrient
    management (590), and a crop residue management (329 or 344)?

-   CROW TRIBE 2: Will the application increase irrigation efficiency by
    17% or greater?

-   CUSTER 1: Will you change your cropping system to a level that the
    Soil Conditioning Index is a minimum of 0.5 and the Soil Tillage
    Intensity Rating is under 60?

-   CUSTER 2: Will you develop a plan to eradicate small infestations of
    noxious weeds, control the spread of larger infestations of noxious
    weeds and agree to scout and monitor all areas of your operation for
    noxious weed control? (Cropped acres are not eligible for Pest
    Management (595) cost-share).

-   CUSTER 3: Will the application address your current conveyance
    system if it is operating at less than 70% efficiency?

-   DAWSON 1: Does the application include the conversion of an open
    ditch or lateral to underground pipe, gated pipe, or lined
    conveyance system (e.g., concrete) on the applied acres?

-   DAWSON 2: Does the application include the development and
    implementation of a treatment plan for noxious weeds mapping and
    spraying on the applied acres? (Includes incidental areas, waste
    ditches, corners, etc. Cropped acres are not eligible for
    cost-share)

-   DAWSON 3: Does the application include the implementation of water
    measurement and monitoring tools to increase irrigation efficiency
    on applied acres?

-   DAWSON 4: Does the application include changing the cropping system
    or tillage operations that will result in a reduction in soil
    erosion?

-   DAWSON 5: Does the application include the establishment of a
    shelterbelt or windbreak for erosion control or to improve wildlife
    habitat?

-   DEER LODGE VALLEY CD 1: Does the applicant have an NRCS approved
    conservation plan written within the last 10 years?

-   DEER LODGE VALLEY CD 2: Does the application involve measurable
    irrigation water savings in excess of 15% according to NRCS approved
    designs?

-   DEER LODGE VALLEY CD 3: Would the planned project(s) benefit a
    dewatered stream as identified on the Montana State Dewatered Stream
    list?

-   DEER LODGE VALLEY CD 4: Is the application part of a group
    conservation effort or project?

-   FERGUS 1: Does the application include a reduction in the amount of
    water diverted from the stream (this must be measurable)?

-   FLATHEAD 1: Are proposed contracted acres located in a watershed
    that has an active locally led conservation effort that has met at
    least once in the last 12 months?

-   FLATHEAD 2: Is applicant actively treating noxious weeds on property
    (no cost share on cropland) through mechanical, chemical, or
    biological methods?

-   FLATHEAD 3: Has the applicant completed an NRCS-approved
    conservation plan for forestland, cropland, and grazing land?

-   FLATHEAD RESERVATION 1: Does the application include practices to
    reduce wind or water erosion?

-   FLATHEAD RESERVATION 2: Does the application include practices to
    improve soil condition?

-   FLATHEAD RESERVATION 3: Does the application include practices that
    will improve water quality by addressing waste/tailwater?

-   FLATHEAD RESERVATION 4: Does the application include practices that
    will conserve irrigation water?

-   FT. PECK RESERVATION 1: If this application is approved, will this
    be your 1st EQIP contract?

-   FT. PECK RESERVATION 2: Does your application include development
    and implementation of a treatment plan for noxious weeds on the
    non-cultivated acres of the operation? The intention is to encourage
    control of Canada thistle on ditch banks, field borders, etc.
    (Cropped acres are not eligible for Pest Management (595)
    cost-share.)

-   FT. PECK RESERVATION 3: Does the application include wildlife
    habitat enhancement practices?

-   FT. PECK RESERVATION 4: Does the application include changing
    cropping system to result in reduced tillage?

-   GLACIER 1: Does this application contain High leachable soils on
    over 50% of the land?

-   GLACIER 2: Will this application consist of changing an open
    irrigation ditch into a pipeline to conserve water?

-   GRANITE 1: Does the practice improve water quality?

-   GRANITE 2: Does the practice improve water quantity?

-   JUDITH BASIN 1: Is this the producer\'s first EQIP application?

-   JUDITH BASIN 2: Does the application include the planned treatment
    of a saline recharge area?

-   JUDITH BASIN 3: Does the application involve the implementation of a
    nutrient management plan?

-   JUDITH BASIN 4: Does this application include the conversion of a
    flood irrigation system to a sprinkler system where the corners will
    not be flood irrigated?

-   LINCOLN 1: Does the applicant address the protection of fisheries
    through screening?

-   LINCOLN 2: Does the applicant improve the water conveyance to the
    irrigation system through lining or through pipe?

-   LOWER MUSSELSHELL CD 1: Will the application include an irrigation
    efficiency project that will save at least 10/acre inches per acre?

-   LOWER MUSSELSHELL 2: Will the water savings provide an increased
    flow of water to a dewatered stream identified by the MTFWP
    Dewatered Stream List?

-   LOWER MUSSELSHELL CD 3: Will the application convert an open ditch
    to reduce seepage losses?

-   LOWER MUSSELSHELL CD 4: Will the application practice improved
    irrigation water efficiency by laser land leveling?

-   LOWER MUSSELSHELL CD 5: Will the application result in use of water
    rights converted from the project to instream flow?

-   McCONE 1: Does the applicant use a Resource Management System (RMS)
    conservation plan developed within the last 5 years?

-   McCONE 2: Is this the producer\'s first EQIP application?

-   McCONE 3: Does the application result in an irrigation efficiency
    project that will save 20% or more acre/inch per acre of the current
    water usage?

-   MEAGHER 1: If the application is approved, would this be the
    producer\'s first EQIP contract?

-   MEAGHER 2: Does the application include the conversion of a flood
    irrigation system to a sprinkler system where the corners will not
    be flood irrigated?

-   MEAGHER 3: Does the application include practices to address
    irrigation induced erosion from irrigation conveyance systems or
    farm fields?

-   MINERAL 1: Does the application provide for measurable irrigation
    water savings in excess of 10% according to NRCS-approved designs?

-   MINERAL 2: Does this application address the control of noxious
    weeds on land adjacent to cropland? (Cropped acres are not eligible
    for Pest Management (595) cost-share.)

-   MINERAL 3: Does the application provide for nutrient management by
    soil analysis?

-   MINERAL 4: Will there be a screen installed at the stream diversion
    point to prevent fish access to the irrigation system?

-   MINERAL 5: Does the application address critical wildlife needs such
    as, but not restricted to, improved efficiencies to allow more water
    to be left instream, planting pivot corners to shrubs for cover and
    food or buffers adjacent to the fields for wildlife?

-   MISSOULA 1: Does this application provide for measurable irrigation
    water savings in excess of 10% according to NRCS-approved design?

-   MISSOULA 2: Does this application provide for nutrient management by
    soil analysis?

-   MISSOULA 3: Does this application include practices that improve
    and/or protect riparian health?

-   MISSOULA 4: Does this application include practices for the control
    or prevention of the spread of noxious weeds on land adjacent to
    cropland? (Cropped acres are not eligible for Pest Management (595)
    cost-share.)

-   MISSOULA 5: Does this application include practices that improve
    and/or protect wildlife habitat?

-   PHILLIPS 1: Does the application include the conversion of wild
    flood irrigation to a border dike system to improve water use
    efficiency and water distribution?

-   PHILLIPS 2: Does the application include the conversion from a V
    ditch to a Flat Bottom ditch for more efficient delivery of water?

-   PHILLIPS 3: Does the application include the conversion of cut
    ditches to the use of turnouts or siphons in the irrigation ditch to
    reduce erosion and improve control and efficiency of water
    distribution?

-   PHILLIPS 4: Are practices being installed to protect
    riverbank/riparian areas from saturation and sloughing?

-   PONDERA 1: Will the application include the treatment of noxious
    weeds to a higher level along fence lines, borrow areas, grassed
    areas, etc? (Cropped acres are not eligible for cost share.)

-   PONDERA 2: Will the application serve to replace 50 feet to 500 feet
    of eroding or leaking irrigation ditch?

-   PONDERA 3: Will the application serve to eliminate greater than 500
    feet of eroding or leaking irrigation ditch?

-   POWDER RIVER 1: Is this your first EQIP contract or is your current
    one on schedule or completed?

-   POWDER RIVER 2: Are you actively and currently implementing a
    noxious weed program? (Cropped acres are not eligible for Pest
    Management (595) cost-share.)

-   POWDER RIVER 3: Does the proposed practice or practices adequately
    meet the resource concerns of the management unit?

-   POWDER RIVER 4: Are you working with one or more landowners
    contiguous to your operation to develop and implement a new noxious
    weed program under EQIP? (Cropped acres are not eligible for Pest
    Management (595) cost-share.)

-   PRAIRIE 1: Does the application include replacing open conveyance
    ditches to result in increased water use efficiency of 20% for the
    area affected by that irrigation water conveyance system? Practices
    include, but are not limited to 430 and 449.

-   PRAIRIE 2: Does the application provide for a change in the cropping
    and tillage system to increase the soil conditioning index to a
    positive number? Practices include, but are not limited to 328, 329,
    345, and 346.

-   PRAIRIE 3: Does the application develop wildlife habitat in pivot
    corners OR replace habitat acres lost to open ditch conversion?
    Practices include, but are not limited to 612, 386, and 645.

-   PRAIRIE 4: Do the proposed practices reduce current soil erosion to
    acceptable rates/ below RUSLE \"T\"?

-   PRAIRIE 5: Does the application develop an Integrated Pest
    Management Plan to scout for and treat noxious weeds on field edges
    and non-crop areas of the affected fields? (Note: Treatments which
    have been used prior to this application cannot be used for ranking,
    nor cost shared. Noxious weed control in active cropland can not be
    cost shared.)(595)

-   RAVALLI 1: Does the application include the development and
    implementation of a Resource Management System (RMS) plan?

-   RAVALLI 2: Does the application include the installation of a
    gravity flow pipeline system to supply sufficient water pressure to
    operate the planned sprinkler irrigation system?

-   RAVALLI 3: Does the application include the development and
    implementation of a nutrient management plan in lieu of implementing
    a RMS plan?

-   RICHLAND 1: Will the applicant install practices to convert from
    flood irrigation to center pivot irrigation where corners continue
    to be flood irrigated? (442-Irrigation System Sprinkler)

-   RICHLAND 2: Will the applicant convert from an open ditch conveyance
    system to buried pipeline? (430-Irrigation Water Conveyance)

-   RICHLAND 3: Will the applicant install gated pipe or a surge value
    with gated pipe? (430-Irrigation Water Conveyance)

-   RICHLAND 4: Will the applicant install practices to reduce erosion
    on irrigated cropland (irrigation induced, sheet and rill, water, or
    wind erosion)? (328-Conservation Cropping Sequence , 329-Residue
    Management)

-   RICHLAND 5: Will the applicant install soil moisture probes and flow
    meter to monitor irrigation water application and implement
    irrigation water management? (449-Irrigation Water Management)

-   ROOSEVELT 1: If this application is approved, will this be your 1st
    EQIP contract?

-   ROOSEVELT 2: Does your application include self cleaning fish
    screen?

-   ROOSEVELT 3: Does the application plan include wildlife habitat
    enhancement practices?

-   ROOSEVELT 4: Does the application include changing cropping system
    to result in reduced tillage?

-   ROSEBUD 1: Does the planned treatment increase irrigation efficiency
    by 30% or more?

-   ROSEBUD 2: Will the planned practices reduce irrigation induced
    erosion to the RUSLE soil loss tolerance (T) or less on fields with
    an average slope of 1.5% or greater?

-   ROSEBUD 3: Does the conservation plan include conversion of at least
    1,320 linear feet of open ditch or lateral to buried pipeline of
    lined conveyance system?

-   ROSEBUD 4: Does the planned treatment increase irrigation efficiency
    by 15% or more?

-   SANDERS 1: Does the application convert an open water ditch to a
    pipeline?

-   SANDERS 2: Does the application include pasture renovation for
    improved grazing management?

-   STILLWATER 1: Does the application include nutrient management
    practices?

-   STILLWATER 2: Does the application include practices that reduce
    irrigation caused erosion?

-   STILLWATER 3: Does the application include a water measuring device
    to measure water consumption?

-   STILLWATER 4: Does the application include practices that improve
    the quality of irrigation water leaving the end of the field?
    (Sediment reduction practices and filter strips are examples.)

-   STILLWATER 5: Does the application include practices that improve
    irrigation efficiency improvements? (NRCS quality criteria requires
    a 30% minimum efficiency.)

-   TETON 1: Does the application include the conversion of a flood
    irrigation system to a sprinkler system (w/o flood irrigating
    corners), where Irrigation Water Management (IWM) is also utilized
    to monitor efficiency and water savings? This includes utilizing a
    flow meter, monitoring of soil moisture utilizing feel & appearance
    method or using a Paul Brown probe, and record keeping.

-   TETON 2: Does the application include adoption of precision
    agriculture technology on irrigated land?

-   TETON 3: Is the applicant currently implementing a precision crop
    management system on irrigated cropland and is willing to adopt a
    higher level of management by utilizing crop yield monitoring
    technology?

-   TETON 4: Will the application implement an integrated pest
    management program to treat noxious weeds along fence lines, borrow
    areas, grasses areas, and irrigation delivery systems adjacent to
    cropland using two or more control methods? Cropped acres are not
    eligible for Pest management (595) cost-share.

-   TREASURE 1: Does the planned treatment increase irrigation
    efficiency by 15% or more?

-   TREASURE 2: Will the planned practices reduce irrigation induced
    erosion to the (RUSLE 2) soil loss tolerance (T) or less on fields
    with an average slope of 1.5% or greater?

-   TREASURE 3: Does the conservation plan include conversion of open
    ditch or lateral to at least 5,280 linear feet of buried pipeline or
    lined conveyance system?

-   TREASURE 4: Does the conservation plan include conversion of open
    ditch or lateral to at least 1,320 linear feet of buried pipeline or
    lined conveyance system?

-   TREASURE 5: Does the conservation plan include conversion of a
    multiple user open ditch or lateral buried pipeline or lined
    conveyance system?

-   VALLEY 1: Will the applicant implement an irrigation water
    management plan?

-   VALLEY 2: Does the application include noxious weed management?
    (Cropped acres are not eligible for cost-share.)

-   VALLEY 3: Will the applicant implement any field leveling?

-   VALLEY 4: Will the applicant convert from open ditch to pipe?

-   VALLEY 5: Will the applicant line open ditches?

-   WHEATLAND 1: Does the application involve measurable irrigation
    water savings in excess of 15% according to a NRCS approved design?

-   WHEATLAND 2: Does the application address the control of noxious
    weeds as a part of a weed management plan? (Cropped acres are not
    eligible for Pest Management (595) cost-share.)

-   WHEATLAND 3: Does the application address the repair and management
    of irrigation caused gully erosion?

-   YELLOWSTONE 1: Does the application include the conversion of a
    flood irrigation system to a sprinkler system where the corners will
    not be flood irrigated?

-   YELLOWSTONE 2: Does the application include an irrigation efficiency
    project that will increase irrigation efficiency by 20% or greater?

#### Contacts

**Erik Suffridge**, Program Specialist\
Phone: 406-587-6849\
Email: [Erik.Suffridge](mailto:Erik.Suffridge@mt.usda.gov)

**Carrie Mosley**, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs\
Phone: 406-587-6967\
Email: [Carrie.Mosley](mailto:Carrie.Mosley@mt.usda.gov)