Air Quality Initiative (NAQI)

The National Air Quality Initiative assists with the adoption of conservation practices through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to help improve air quality through reducing dust and carbon emissions. This Initiative sets aside funding in select states to help advance the adoption of these practices.

Eligible Land Type:

• Cropland and hayland

• Rangeland

• Pastureland

• Non-industrial private forestland

• Other farm or ranch lands

• Environmentally sensitive areas

Eligible applicants(s) include:

• Agricultural producers

• Owners of non-industrial private forestland

• Indian Tribes

• Those with an interest in the agricultural or forestry operations

• Water management entities

No payment rate, cost-share percentage, payment cap, or contract length is published on the Air Quality Initiative page. The initiative is a funding earmark inside another program, not a program with its own terms: "The National Air Quality Initiative assists with the adoption of conservation practices through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to help improve air quality through reducing dust and carbon emissions. This Initiative sets aside funding in select states to help advance the adoption of these practices."

What that means in practice:

• Your money comes from EQIP. Payment rates are the EQIP practice payment rates for whichever air-quality practices you install, and those are set state by state — they are not reproduced here. EQIP generally pays a share of the cost of an installed practice on a reimbursement basis after the work meets NRCS standards and specifications.

• Availability is geographically limited — funding is "set aside... in select states," and this page does not enumerate which states or how much each receives. The record's state scope has previously been flagged as needing human confirmation.

• Eligible land includes cropland and hayland, rangeland, pastureland, non-industrial private forestland, other farm or ranch lands, and environmentally sensitive areas; eligible applicants include agricultural producers, owners of non-industrial private forestland, Indian Tribes, those with an interest in the agricultural or forestry operations, and water management entities.

To get real numbers, ask your state NRCS office whether it receives an Air Quality Initiative set-aside and for the current EQIP payment schedule for the practices you have in mind.

Apply for an EQIP

Applications for EQIP​ financial assistance are accepted throughout the year. Specific deadlines are set for ranking and funding opportunities within each state. The best way to learn if EQIP is a good fit for you is by contacting your local NRCS office. If you choose to move forward, your local NRCS conservationist will guide you through applying for the program.

Applications for conservation practices and systems that will result in greater environmental benefits for national, state, and/or local natural resource priorities will receive a higher score and higher priority to receive an offer for a financial assistance contract.

Once you have chosen the right conservation practices for your land, you may be offered an EQIP contract to receive financial assistance for the cost of implementing certain practices. Payment rates for conservation practices are reviewed and set each fiscal year.

NAQI approved practices for FY16