Alabama EQIP Air Quality Initiative

Humans, livestock, plants, automobiles, etc., all contribute collectively to our emissions problem. EPA has set standards for states to meet and has designated “non attainment” areas for counties that are currently exceeding those standards.  Four counties in Alabama do not meet the EPA standards for fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) and 8 hour Surface Ozone (O3).  These counties in north Alabama are  Jackson, Jefferson, Shelby, and Walker.

Conservation Practices That Help Improve Air Quality are:

• Nutrient Management – injection of manure, nitrification and urease inhibitors

• Manure Amendments and Treatments

• Manure Storage, Collection and Handling – digesters, waste treatment, composting facilities, drag hoses

• Prescribed Grazing Systems

• Residue and Tillage Management: No-till/Strip Till/Direct Seed

• Cover Crops

• Strip Cropping and Conservation Crop Rotation

• Cropland Conversion to Grass or Trees

• Pasture and Hayland Planting

• Critical Area Planting

• Hedgerow Planting

• Heavy Use Area Protection

NRCS offers financial assistance for implementing many of the above practices for Air Quality through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). 

Applications are taken on a continuous basis.  There will be an application batching period on April 24, 2009.

News Release

For more information on air quality, contact Steve Musser,  ASTC-Programs, Auburn, Alabama Contact, at 334-887-4503.

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