Summer 2003 Volume 12, Number 2
2002 Farm Bill Conservation Programs Available to Non-industrial Private Forestland Owners through USDA
(Revised Septebmer 4, 2002)
| Program | Agency | Eligibility | Purpose | Means | Practices | Cost-share Amt. | Frequency/ Duration |
Max. Allowable
Limitations |
Applications Accepted? |
| CRP(Conservation Reserve program) Funded thru CCC |
FSA | Land must be 1) Cropland
Planted to ag Commodity 2 of last 5 years,
physically capable of being planted; marginal
pastureland, and EPA designated wellhead protection
area |
Encourages farmers to Plant long-term resource-conserving covers to Improve soil, water, and Wildlife resources. | Annual Rental Payments And Cost-shares For cover Establishment | Riparian buffers, filter strips, grass waterways, shelter belts, field windbreaks, living fences, contour grass strips, salt tolerant veg. Or shallow water w/1 areas, and establishing permanent cover. Special practices for Atlantic White Cedar and Longleaf pine | Annual rental payments and up to 50% of participants costs in establishing approved practice (and 1 time 25% incentive added to 50% for wetland restoration) | Contract duration is between 10 to 15 years (15 yrs for hardwood tree planting) | Rental Rates- based on average value of dryland cash rent or cash rent equivalent. | Continuous sign-up process by FSA. Scheduled to be available indefinitely. |
| CREP (Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program) funded through CCC | FSA | Targeted to specific geographic area, focused on high priority environment concerns. Eligibility requirement same as CRP (just one aspect of overall conservation reserve program). | Joint state-federal land retirement conservation program to address significant ag-related environment effects. Coordinate federal and non-federal resources and improve water quality, erosion control and w/l habitat related to ag use in specific geographical areas. | Same as CRP | Must have a USDA approved CREP proposal, submitted by a state�s governor. | Same as CRP | Same as CRP | States need to provide a significant Commitment such a 20%to the overall cost of the program. Contributions can be cost-share assisted, lump sum bonus, monitor technical assistance, or long-term easement. | Same as CRP, once CREP proposal submitted by Governor � Thirteen states in the northeastern US participate, with proposals from IN and NJ currently being considered. Five states (ME, RI, CT, NH, and MA) are currently not participating. |
| EQUIP
(Environmental quality incentives program) funded through CC |
NRCS Selected thru State Technical Committee | Farmers/ranchers who earn less than $2.5 million w/in 3 yrs, unless 75% of the income is from farming, ranching, or forestry interests/ Not eligible if lands under CRP contract | Promotes ag production and environmental quality (60% targeted to practices related to livestock production) | Financial and technical assistance | Nutrient management irrigation water management, wildlife habitat management and forestry develop a comprehensive nutrient management plan, in addition to ground and surface water conservation AND conservation innovation grants. | Up to 75% , OR up to 90% for limited resource farmers and beginning farmers. | 1 year minimum after last practice implementation and 10-year maximum | $450,000 per individual over the period of the 2002 Farm Bill | Continuous sign-up by NRCS, using state and locally developed evaluation process. |
| WHIP (Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program) funded through CCC | NRCS Selected thru State Technical Committee | Private landowners and operators, conservation districts, Federal (primary benefit on private), state (limited basis), and tribal agencies | Encourages creation of high quality wildlife habitats that support wildlife populations of National State, Tribal, and local significance (declining species populations) | Financial and technical assistance | Development of wildlife habitat on eligible parties property, according to local wildlife habitat priorities. After development, provide for monitoring habitat practices, reviewing management guidelines, and/or basic/biological engineering technical assistance (not just for game species) | No limit on amount of payment made or acreage limit, but some states may opt to do so. Greater amounts available for longer-term contracts (15 yr) | Duration is usually 5-10 years depending on practice | Continuous sign-up by NRCS. Voluntarily limit future use of the land for a period of time, but retain private ownership. | |
| WRP (Wetlands Reserve Program) funded through CCC | NRCS Selected thru State Technical Committee | Landowner must have owned the land for at least 10 mo. Prior to enrollment, unless land inherited, must show evidence of ownership. Land must be restorable and suitable for w/l | Restore/or protect wetlands in exchange for retiring marginal land from agriculture, improve fish/wildlife habitat and water quality, reduce floods, recharge groundwater; protect bio-diversity; provide opps for education, science and recreational activites. | Financial and technical assistance. | Wetland restoration and after completed through reviewing restoration measures, clarifying technical and administrative aspects of easement and project management needs, and/or basic biological/engineering advice on wetland dependent species. | Permanent Easement- 100% of wetland restoration cost; 30 year easement � 75% of restoration costs; Restoration agreement � 75% of costs. Total acreage allowed under the program is 2,275,000 | 3 enrollment options; 1. Permanent Easement;
2. 30 year easement; 3. Restoration Agreement |
INELIGIBLE LANDS: Wetlands converted after 12/23/85; lands w/timber stands established. Under a CRP contract; federal lands, and restoration impossible. | Continuous sign-up process by NRCS |
| FLEP (Forest Land Enhancement Program) funded through CCC | IDNR Division of Forestry | For non-industrial private forest owners or lands that are "suitable for trees: including tribal lands. A forest management plan is required. | Establish manage, maintain, enhance, restore NIPF lands. Enhance productivity of TM, fish, w/l habitat, soil water, air quality, wetlands and riparian buffers. | Financial, technical assistance and educational assistance. | Forest Stew Plan development, Afforestn/reforestn/Forest Stand Improvement; Agroforestry implement; Water quality Improvement, Habitat protection; for Health protection; fire Reduction; Invasive species control; and disaster restoration, special practices. | Up to 75% as established by practice or area in State Priority Plan for FLEP | Allows treatment of up to 1000 ac/yr w/variances up to 5000 ac if significant public benefit. | Maximum allowable is expected to be $100,000 for any one entity to receive through 2007 | Expected to begin Aug 2003 |