The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service assists the Lexington Soil and Water Conservation District with technical support and administration of USDA programs.  These programs put conservation on the ground and at work in Lexington County.
 

•  Conservation Technical Assistance
  The Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) Program provides technical assistance supported by science-based technology and tools to help people conserve, maintain, and improve their natural resources. The CTA Program provides the technical capability, including direct conservation planning, design, and implementation assistance, that helps people plan and apply conservation on the land.  This assistance is provided to individuals, groups, and communities who make natural resource management decisions on private, tribal, and other non-federal lands. NRCS, through the CTA Program, provides conservation technical assistance that addresses natural resource conservation issues at the local level that are of State and national concern.
  
  For more information on the Conservation Technical Assistance program, click on the following link, CTA Program.

   

•  Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
  The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a new program designed to identify conservation concerns and set conservation priorities to address soil erosion, water quality, wildlife habitat and other resource issues through a community based process. EQIP is available in all 46 counties to address statewide resource concerns. Sixty-five percent of EQIP funds are targeted toward approved Conservation Priority Areas. State Conservation Priority Areas have been identified by local work groups, ranked by the State Technical Committee and submitted to Washington for approval. Practices such as field borders, filter strips and grassed waterways designed to protect water quality may also be maintained as early successional habitats to benefit Bobwhite quail and other species. Riparian (stream side) buffer zones used to protect streams from runoff can also be highly productive areas for wildlife, providing food, cover and travel corridors.
   

•  Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
  The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) offers landowners incentives to conserve soil, water, and wildlife habitat. Landowners can apply to enroll highly erodible land and other environmentally sensitive areas in the CRP. By enrolling land, a landowner can receive annual rental payments and cost share benefits to implement conservation practices.
  
  Landowners must submit offers for CRP contracts at the local FSA office during sign-up periods announced by the Secretary of Agriculture. Changes in the CRP bid and ranking procedures now favor those landowners willing to implement "wildlife friendly" practices.
   

•  Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP)
  The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) is designed to help eligible landowners restore wetlands. Under this program, landowners enter into permanent easements, 30 year easements or 10 year wetlands restoration agreements in exchange for a portion of restoration costs. The landowner maintains full control over access and use of WRP easement lands. Acceptable uses of WRP land may include such activities as hunting, fishing, or other compatible uses depending on the situation.
   

The USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) also provides technical assistance in the following areas:

•  Conservation Planning

•  Pond Management

•  Aerial Photography

For additional information on USDA Programs, click on the following link (USDA Programs) or contact our office at (803) 359-3165 ext. 3. Our technical staff will be glad to assist you.