NORWICH – New York Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced May 20, 2016 as the application cutoff date for second batching period of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Riparian Forest Buffer Initiative for Fiscal Year (FY) 2016.

Applications accepted after May 20, 2016 will be considered for funding in the FY2017 sign-up for general EQIP. All applications are competitive and are ranked based on national, state and locally identified resource priorities and the overall benefit to the environment.

“Forest buffers are essential to protecting our water, wildlife and quality of life,” said State Conservationist Greg Kist. “This funding, targeted to the Upper Susquehanna watershed, has allowed NRCS and our partners to do our part to improve the local water quality and the quality of the water in the Chesapeake Bay.”