All conservation practices in the EQIP plan of operations must be approved by NRCS and developed and carried out in accordance with the applicable NRCS planning and FOTG technical requirements.

The participant is responsible for implementing the EQIP plan of operations according to the approved implementation schedule.

The EQIP plan of operations must include:

A description of the participant's specific conservation objectives to be achieved;

To the extent practicable, the quantitative or qualitative goals for achieving the participant's conservation and natural resource objectives;

A description of one or more conservation practices in the conservation management system, including conservation planning, design, or installation activities to be implemented to achieve the conservation objectives;

A description of the schedule for implementing the conservation practices, including timing, sequence, operation, and maintenance; and

Information that will enable evaluation of the effectiveness of the plan in achieving the conservation objectives.

If an EQIP plan of operations includes an animal waste storage or treatment facility to be implemented on an AFO, the participant must agree to develop and implement a CNMP by the end of the contract period.

If an EQIP plan of operations addresses forest land related resource concerns, the participant must implement conservation practices consistent with an approved forest management plan.

A participant may receive assistance to implement an EQIP plan of operations which includes irrigation related practices to address a water conservation resource concern only if the assistance will facilitate a reduction in ground or surface water use on the agricultural operation, unless the producer is participating in a watershed-wide project, as approved by the State Conservationist, which will effectively conserve water in accordance with § 1466.20.