Agreements are for 10 years with eligible landowners to
help preserve important nesting, breeding, and feeding areas of migratory
waterfowl. During the agreement, the participants agree in return for annual
payments not to drain, burn, fill, or otherwise destroy the wetland character
of such areas and not to use areas for agricultural purposes, as determined by
the Secretary. The Secretary carries out the program in harmony with wetlands
programs administered by the Secretary of the Interior and uses technical and
related services of appropriate State, Federal, and private conservation
agencies to assure proper coordination.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant Eligibility:
Landowners and operators of specified types of wetlands in designated
important migratory waterfowl nesting, breeding and feeding areas.
Beneficiary Eligibility:
Landowners and operators of specified types of wetlands in designated
important migratory waterfowl nesting, breeding and feeding areas.
Credentials/Documentation:
Identification as an owner and/or operator of eligible land; a conservation
plan developed in cooperation with the local soil and water conservation
district; and proof of required compliance. This program is excluded from
coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.
APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:
Pre-application Coordination:
None. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102 and
E.O. 12372. New contracts are not being accepted. Current contracts remain in
effect with payments being made until the expiration date.
Application Procedure: Make
application at the NRCS office for the county in which the land is located.
Applicants must develop an approved conservation plan with local soil and
water conservation district representatives. This program is excluded from
coverage under OMB Circular Nos. A-102 and A-110.
Award Procedure: New
contracts are not being accepted. Current contracts remain in effect with
payments being made until the expiration date.
Deadlines: None.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:
The period officially specified for the program year.
Appeals: Participants may
appeal to the National Appeals Division.
Renewals: Subject to mutual
agreement between the Secretary and the participants, within program
provisions specified by the Secretary, for additional 10-year periods.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching Requirements:
Annual payments may be made within the announced rate structures, for the
eligible acreage. Participant must undertake needed land and water management
measures.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:
Annual payments will be made for 10 years, and may be continued for additional
periods of 10 years if mutually agreed to at the rates offered by the
Secretary.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports: Performance reports,
if any annual payments are made in advance of performance. (Statistical
reports are made by administering offices.)
Audits: Recipients are
subject to audit by Office of Inspector General, USDA.
Records: Maintained in the
NRCS office and Federal record centers for a specified number of years.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Account Identification:
12-3320-0-1-302.
Obligations: (Direct
payments) FY 01 $45,261; FY 02 est $354,008; and FY 03 est $0. Note: From
carryover funds.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance:
$7 to $75 per acre. Average: $13.00.
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
There are currently 4,953 agreements covering 614,648
acres in effect.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
Program regulations published in the Federal Register, 7
CFR Part 752. Program is announced through the news media and in letters to
eligible participants in the county area designated by the Secretary of
Agriculture as a participating county.
INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Regional or Local Office: For
more information on this and other related programs, consult the local
telephone directory for location of the NRCS office where your land is
located. If a listing is not present; contact the appropriate State NRCS
office listed in the Natural Resources Conservation Service section of
Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Headquarters Office:
Natural Resources Conservation Service, Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box
2890, Washington, DC 20013. Telephone: (202) 720-1870. Martha Joseph at (202)
720-7157.
Web Site Address:
http://www.nrsc.usda.gov
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
Not applicable.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
Not applicable.
