[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 3, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73-79]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-33692]
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Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 1 / Tuesday, January 3, 2012 /
Notices
[[Page 73]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Commodity Credit Corporation
[Docket No. NRCS-2011-0025]
Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative and Wetlands
Reserve Enhancement Program
AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service and Commodity Credit
Corporation, United States Department of Agriculture.
ACTION: Notice of request for proposals through the Mississippi River
Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative (MRBI).
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SUMMARY: The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announces
the availability of financial assistance funds in fiscal year (FY) 2012
for up to $11.74 million in the Cooperative Conservation Partnership
Initiative (CCPI) and up to $25 million in the Wetlands Reserve
Enhancement Program (WREP) through MRBI. These funding levels are
available for new MRBI proposals only. However, CCPI and WREP will not
be the only funding mechanisms for MRBI in FY 2012. The Chief of NRCS
reserves discretion in utilizing other NRCS conservation program funds
and mechanisms in support of the objectives of MRBI.
Through agreements, partners and NRCS will provide assistance to
eligible participants in the 54 designated focus areas (8-digit
hydrologic unit codes (HUCs)) in the following 13 States: Arkansas,
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi,
Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The purpose of
this notice is to solicit proposals from potential partners to enter
into agreements with NRCS and to inform agricultural producers and
landowners of the future availability of program funds through approved
partnership projects. Proposals must be based on one or more 12-digit
HUCs within the 54 designated focus areas. Partners who are currently
involved in approved MRBI agreements through CCPI or WREP and want to
work in other 12-digit watersheds must submit new proposals for a new
project.
DATES: Eligible partners may submit proposals for MRBI-CCPI and MRBI-
WREP via email or U.S. Postal Service; however, all proposals must be
received on or before March 19, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals electronically
to [email protected] for CCPI and [email protected] for WREP.
If submitting a paper proposal, the proposal may be mailed to: Martin
Lowenfish, Acting Team Leader, Conservation Initiatives Team, Natural
Resources Conservation Service, P.O. Box 2890, Washington, DC 20013.
Do not send submissions via registered or certified mail. Do not
send the same proposal both electronically and to the Post Office Box
address; use only one method to submit a proposal. If submitting more
than one project proposal, please submit each separately.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Deena Wheby, MRBI Coordinator,
Conservation Initiatives Team, Natural Resources Conservation Service;
Telephone: (859) 224-7403 or email: [email protected].
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for
communication (Braille, large print, audio tape, etc.) should contact
the USDA TARGET Center at: (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Part A--General WREP and CCPI Proposal Information
Focus Area Watersheds
Fifty-four focus area (8-digit HUC) watersheds have been selected
by NRCS State Conservationists, with input from the State Technical
Committees and State water quality agencies, to help improve water
quality by reducing nitrogen, phosphorous, and sediment levels in the
watersheds of the Mississippi River Basin, as well as improve wildlife
habitat and restore wetlands. The designated 8-digit HUC focus areas
are listed below. A complete list of the smaller-scale, 12-digit HUC
sub-watersheds within the designated 8-digit HUC focus areas can be
found on the MRBI home page. The MRBI home page can be found by
searching for MRBI at: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov.
Designated Focus Areas for the MRBI FY 2012 (8-Digit HUCs)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hydrologic Unit
State(s) Watershed Code Proposals accepted for:
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Arkansas/Missouri.................. Cache................. 08020302 CCPI and/or WREP.
Arkansas........................... Lake Conway-Point 11110203 CCPI and/or WREP.
Remove.
Arkansas........................... L'Anguille............ 08020205 CCPI and/or WREP.
Arkansas/Missouri.................. Lower St. Francis..... 08020203 CCPI and/or WREP.
Arkansas........................... Bayou Meto............ 08020402 CCPI and/or WREP.
Arkansas........................... Lower White........... 08020303 CCPI and/or WREP.
Arkansas........................... Lower White-Bayou Des 08020301 CCPI and/or WREP.
Arc.
Arkansas........................... Lower Arkansas........ 08020401 CCPI and/or WREP.
Arkansas........................... Big................... 08020304 CCPI and/or WREP.
Arkansas/Kentucky/Missouri/ Lower Mississippi-- 08010100 WREP only.
Tennessee. Memphis.
Arkansas/Mississippi............... Lower Mississippi-- 08020100 WREP only.
Helena.
Arkansas/Louisiana/Mississippi..... Lower Mississippi-- 08030100 WREP only.
Greenville.
Illinois........................... Lower Illinois- 07130001 CCPI and/or WREP.
Senachwine Lake.
Illinois........................... Vermillion (Upper 07130002 CCPI and/or WREP.
Mississippi River sub-
basin).
Illinois/Indiana................... Vermillion (Upper Ohio 05120109 CCPI and/or WREP.
River sub-basin).
[[Page 74]]
Indiana............................ Eel................... 05120104 CCPI and/or WREP.
Indiana............................ Upper East Fork White. 05120206 CCPI and/or WREP.
Indiana............................ Wildcat............... 05120107 CCPI and/or WREP.
Indiana/Ohio....................... Upper Wabash.......... 05120101 CCPI and/or WREP.
Iowa............................... Boone................. 07100005 CCPI and/or WREP.
Iowa............................... Maquoketa............. 07060006 CCPI and/or WREP.
Iowa............................... North Raccoon......... 07100006 CCPI and/or WREP.
Iowa/Minnesota..................... Upper Cedar........... 07080201 CCPI and/or WREP.
Kentucky/Tennessee................. Bayou De Chien- 08010201 CCPI and/or WREP.
Mayfield.
Kentucky........................... Licking............... 05100101 CCPI and/or WREP.
Kentucky........................... Lower Green........... 05110005 CCPI and/or WREP.
Louisiana.......................... Mermentau............. 08080202 CCPI and/or WREP.
Louisiana.......................... Lower Mississippi-- 08070100 WREP only.
Baton Rouge.
Louisiana/Arkansas................. Bayou Macon........... 08050002 CCPI and/or WREP.
Louisiana/Arkansas................. Boeuf River........... 08050001 CCPI and/or WREP.
Louisiana/Mississippi.............. Lower Mississippi-- 08060100 WREP only.
Natchez.
Minnesota.......................... Middle Minnesota...... 07020007 CCPI and/or WREP.
Minnesota.......................... Root.................. 07040008 CCPI and/or WREP.
Minnesota.......................... Sauk.................. 07010202 CCPI and/or WREP.
Mississippi........................ Big Sunflower......... 08030207 CCPI and/or WREP.
Mississippi/Louisiana/Arkansas..... Deer-Steele........... 08030209 CCPI and/or WREP.
Mississippi........................ Upper Yazoo........... 08030206 CCPI and/or WREP.
Missouri/Iowa...................... Lower Grand........... 10280103 CCPI and/or WREP.
Mississippi........................ Coldwater Creek....... 08030204 CCPI and/or WREP.
Missouri........................... North Fork Salt....... 07110005 CCPI and/or WREP.
Missouri........................... South Fork Salt....... 07110006 CCPI and/or WREP.
Missouri/Arkansas.................. Little River Ditches.. 08020204 CCPI and/or WREP.
Ohio/Indiana....................... Upper Great Miami..... 05080001 CCPI and/or WREP.
Ohio............................... Upper Scioto.......... 05060001 CCPI and/or WREP.
Tennessee.......................... Forked Deer........... 08010206 CCPI and/or WREP.
Tennessee/Kentucky................. Obion................. 08010202 CCPI and/or WREP.
Tennessee.......................... South Fork Obion...... 08010203 CCPI and/or WREP.
Tennessee/Kentucky................. Red River............. 05130206 CCPI and/or WREP.
South Dakota/Minnesota............. Upper Minnesota....... 07020001 CCPI and/or WREP.
Wisconsin/Illinois................. Upper Rock............ 07090001 CCPI and/or WREP.
Wisconsin.......................... Kickapoo.............. 07070006 CCPI and/or WREP.
Wisconsin.......................... Middle Rock........... 07090002 CCPI and/or WREP.
Wisconsin/Iowa..................... Grant-Little Maquoketa 07060003 CCPI and/or WREP.
Wisconsin/Minnesota................ Rush-Vermillion....... 07040001 CCPI and/or WREP.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Under MRBI, NRCS works with partners through CCPI and WREP to help
address conservation concerns and opportunities within the watershed of
the Mississippi River Basin. In approved MRBI-CCPI project areas, NRCS
will make Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation
Stewardship Program (CSP), and Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program
(WHIP) funds available to eligible producers consistent with the
proposal design as much as possible. In approved MRBI-WREP project
areas, funds are available through the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP).
Proposal Submission, Review, and Notification
Potential partners are highly encouraged to submit proposals to the
email address provided in the ``Addresses'' section of this notice. If
the proposal is submitted in hard copy, the potential partner must
submit two copies of the proposal, typewritten or printed on 8-1/
2 x 11 white paper. The entire project proposal,
not including letters of support, cannot exceed 12 pages in length
including a summary, responses to the information requested in this
Federal Register, maps, and other supporting documents. The proposal
must address, in sufficient detail, all the criteria outlined in the
``Proposal Requirements'' section of this notice in order to be
considered.
MRBI-CCPI and MRBI-WREP proposals submitted to NRCS become the
property of the agency for use in the administration of the program,
may be filed or disposed of by the agency, and will not be returned to
the potential partner. Once proposals have been submitted for review
and ranking, there will be no further opportunity for the potential
partner to change or re-submit the proposal; however, NRCS may request
certain changes before finalizing the selection and approval of a
project. Incomplete proposals or those that do not meet the
requirements set forth in this notice will not be considered, and
notification of elimination will be mailed to the applicant. Partner
proposals may be withdrawn by written notice to Deena Wheby, MRBI
Coordinator, Conservation Initiatives Team, at any time prior to
selection (see ADDRESSES section in this notice).
NRCS will review, evaluate, and rank proposals based on the
criteria set forth in the respective ``Proposal Requirements'' sections
of this notice for both MRBI-CCPI and MRBI-WREP. Potential partners
should recognize that the proposal is the only document NRCS will use
in the evaluation process. The proposal must request NRCS program funds
for obligation beginning in FY 2012 (October 1, 2011-September 30,
2012). Proposals which request funding with obligation starting after
FY 2012 will not be evaluated or considered under this request for
proposals.
Partners whose proposals have been selected will receive an
official letter of
[[Page 75]]
notification. Upon notification of selection, the partner should
contact the appropriate State Conservationist(s) to develop the
required partnership agreement and other project implementation
requirements. Potential partners should note that, depending upon
available funding and agency priorities, NRCS may offer a reduced
amount of program financial assistance from what was requested in the
proposal and may require adjustments to the proposal as a condition of
approval to meet program or other requirements. Partner submissions of
proposals that are not selected will also be notified by mail.
State Conservationist(s) Proposal Review
Once a project proposal is received, the agency will provide a copy
of it to the appropriate State Conservationist(s). State
Conservationist(s) will review the proposals to:
(a) Document potential duplication with other projects or existing
programs;
(b) Confirm adherence to and consistency with program regulations,
including requirements related to land and landowner eligibility and
other program requirements;
(c) Address expected benefits for project implementation in their
State(s);
(d) For multi-State proposals, coordinate with all State
Conservationists involved in the proposal to verify concurrence and
support for the project;
(e) Identify other issues or concerns that should be considered;
and
(f) Provide a recommendation, along with justification, to the NRCS
Chief for approval or disapproval of the project.
Waiver Authority
To assist in the implementation of approved WREP and CCPI projects,
the Chief may waive the applicability of the Adjusted Gross Income
Limitation, on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with 7 CFR part
1400. Such waiver requests must be submitted in writing from the
program applicant, not the sponsoring partner, addressed to the Chief,
through the local NRCS designated conservationist.
Part B--The Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative Component
of MRBI
To improve the health of the watersheds within the Mississippi
River Basin, NRCS and its partners will help producers to voluntarily
implement conservation practices that avoid, control, and trap nutrient
runoff; improve wildlife habitat; restore wetlands; and maintain
agricultural productivity. These improvements will be accomplished
through a conservation systems approach to address water quality,
wetland, and wildlife related resource concerns. NRCS will provide
producers assistance in implementing a suite of practices that will
reduce the impacts of nutrients and sediment leaving agricultural
fields. In the Lower Mississippi River Basin States, practices may also
address water quantity as a compatible resource concern with water
quality as the primary resource concern.
Overview of the CCPI
The CCPI is a voluntary conservation initiative that enables the
use of certain conservation programs, combined with resources from
eligible partners, to provide financial and technical assistance to
owners and operators of agricultural and nonindustrial private forest
lands in order to enhance conservation outcomes and achieve resource
conservation objectives. The functions of CCPI can best be described in
two parts: CCPI partnerships and CCPI program participation.
CCPI Partnerships
Under CCPI, eligible potential partners may submit proposals
addressing the criteria that are outlined in this request for
proposals. Partners who may enter into partnership agreements with NRCS
include federally recognized Indian Tribes, State and local units of
government, producer associations, farmer cooperatives, institutions of
higher education, and nongovernmental organizations which have a
history of working cooperatively with producers to effectively address
conservation priorities related to agricultural production and
nonindustrial private forest land. Individual agricultural producers
are not eligible partner entities and may not submit CCPI proposals.
However, individual agricultural producers can participate by applying
for program assistance in the approved proposal areas through their
local NRCS office.
Proposals will be evaluated through a competitive review process.
After selection, the partners will enter into a partnership agreement
with NRCS. The partnership agreement will not obligate funds, but as
applicable, will address the following:
(a) Role of the partner;
(b) Role of NRCS;
(c) Responsibilities of the partner as it relates to the monitoring
and evaluation;
(d) Frequency and duration of monitoring and evaluation to be
completed by the partner;
(e) Format and frequency of reports that are required as a
condition of the partnership agreement;
(f) Budget which includes other funding sources (if applicable) for
financial and technical assistance;
(g) Specified project schedule and timeframe; and
(h) Other requirements deemed necessary by NRCS to further the
purposes of MRBI.
Where flexibility is needed to meet project objectives, the partner
may request that program adjustments be allowed, provided such
adjustments are within the scope of the applicable programs' statutory
and regulatory program authorities. An example of an adjustment may be
to expedite the applicable program ranking process in a situation where
a partner has identified the producers approved to participate in the
project. Other examples of flexibilities are payment percentage rates,
or use of a single area-wide conservation plan of operations rather
than individual conservation plans of operation. An example of an
ineligible flexibility would be to request funds for activities that do
not meet NRCS conservation practice standards.
CCPI is not a grant program, and all Federal funds made available
through this request for proposals will be paid directly to producers
through program contract agreements. If desired, producers may elect to
have their payments assigned to another party. No technical assistance
funding may be provided to a partner through the CCPI partner
agreement. However, if requested by a partner, the State
Conservationist may consider development of a separate contribution
agreement with a qualified partner to provide funding for delivery of
technical services to producers participating in an approved CCPI
project.
CCPI Program Participation
Once the agency approves and announces the selected partner
projects, eligible agricultural producers located within the approved
project areas may apply directly to NRCS for funding through one or
more of the following programs: EQIP, CSP, or WHIP. CCPI uses the
funds, policies, and processes of these programs to deliver assistance
to eligible producers to implement approved core and supporting
conservation practices, enhancements, and activities under MRBI.
Producers interested in applying must meet the eligibility requirements
of the program for which they are applying. Individual applications
from eligible producers will be evaluated and ranked to ensure
[[Page 76]]
that producer applications selected for funding are most likely to
achieve project objectives. Once applications are selected, the
producers may enter into one or more contracts or cost-share agreements
with NRCS within one or more of the programs offered under CCPI. During
FY 2012, an objective of MRBI-CCPI is to deliver EQIP, CSP, and WHIP
assistance to producers to achieve MRBI priority conservation
objectives in geographic areas defined by the partner. Depending upon
the program available in the project area, the assistance provided
enables eligible producers to implement conservation practices and
enhancements, including the development and adoption of innovative
conservation practices and management approaches.
Availability of Funding
Effective on the publication date of this notice, the Commodity
Credit Corporation announces the availability of up to $9 million in
EQIP and $500,000 in WHIP financial assistance and 140,000 acres in CSP
for MRBI-CCPI during FY 2012.
Proposal Requirements
The proposal must include the following. Please provide the
information in the order as listed below:
(1) Proposal Cover and Summary:
(a) Project Title;
(b) Project director/manager name, telephone number, mailing
address, and email address;
(c) Name and contact information for lead partner entity submitting
proposal and other collaborating partners; and
(d) Short summary of project including:
i. Project start and end dates (not to exceed a period of 4 years);
ii. Designated 12-digit HUC, or contiguous multiple 12-digit HUCs
sub-watersheds where the project is located, including the State(s) and
county(s);
iii. General project objectives and resource concerns to be
addressed as they relate to MRBI priorities and objectives;
iv. Total amount of CCPI financial assistance being requested by
program;
v. Whether any of the proposed 12-digit project HUCs have
previously been approved for a MRBI CCPI project; and
vi. Whether the MRBI-CCPI proposal will be used in conjunction with
a MRBI-WREP, MRBI-CIG, or other Federal programs to meet MRBI
objectives. Include the name of the program and the associated Federal
agency. (Note: Federal funds cannot be used as a match to the funds
provided by NRCS.)
(2) Project Natural Resource Objectives and Concerns:
(a) Identify and provide detail about the project objectives.
Objectives should be specific, measureable, achievable, and results-
oriented.
(b) Identify and provide detail about the natural resource
concern(s) to be addressed in this project. Include in this description
how the proposal objectives will address the priority MRBI resource
concerns of water quality, wetland restoration, and improved wildlife
habitat. Water quantity may be addressed as a complementary resource
concern in the Lower Mississippi River Basin States. Potential partners
will work with the State Conservationist(s) to ensure the priority
resource concerns are addressed by utilizing approved conservation
practices, enhancements and activities, and conservation program
requirements. A list of NRCS approved natural resource concerns for
MRBI may be found on the MRBI Web site which can be found by searching
for MRBI at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov.
(3) Detailed Project Description:
(a) A detailed description of the geographic area covered by the
proposal, including:
i. Types of land uses to be treated; and
ii. The location and size of the proposed project area, and what
12-digit HUC sub-watershed(s) the project will be within.
(b) A detailed map showing the project area. Include on the map:
i. Outlined areas that need conservation treatments;
ii. Location where conservation treatments are needed; and
iii. Priority order for the different areas to be treated.
(c) A description of the project timeline. Include:
i. Duration of the project, not to exceed 4 consecutive years in
length beginning in FY 2012;
ii. Project implementation schedule that details when different
objectives and conservation practices and enhancements will be
completed;
iii. When partner and Federal resources will be used within the
timeframe of the project. Include the total amount of financial
assistance funds requested for each fiscal year of the project to be
made available for producer contracts and cost-share agreements (for
multi-State projects, provide the funds or acres by State as
appropriate); and
iv. When the final project report will be submitted.
(d) A description of the plan for evaluating and reporting on
progress made toward achieving the objectives of the agreement.
(e) Identify potential criteria to be used by NRCS to prioritize
and rank agricultural producers' applications for EQIP, CSP, and WHIP
in the project area. Potential partners should collaborate with NRCS to
develop meaningful criteria that NRCS can use to evaluate and rank
producer program applications. This will ensure that producer
applications which will best accomplish MRBI objectives will be
selected.
(f) An estimate of the percentage of producers, including
nonindustrial private forest landowners, in the project area that may
participate in the project along with an estimate of the total number
of producers located in the project area. Provide details about
additional information such as how the partner will encourage producer
participation; does the project include any Tribal producers, beginning
farmers or ranchers, socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, or
limited resource farmers or ranchers; and are there groups of producers
who may submit joint applications to address resource issues of common
interest and need.
(g) A listing and description of the approved MRBI-CCPI core
conservation practices, conservation activity plans, enhancements, and
partner activities to be implemented during the project timeframe and
the general sequence of implementation of the project. Information
about approved MRBI-CCPI EQIP, WHIP, and CSP practices, enhancements,
and activities can be accessed at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov. Only the
conservation practices listed, which are available in the applicable
State's Field Office Technical Guide, are eligible for use in MRBI. For
each conservation practice, estimate the amount of practice extent
(feet, acres, number, etc.) the partner expects producers to implement
and the amount of financial assistance requested to support
implementation of each practice through producer contracts.
(h) Also address technical assistance efforts that will be made by
the partner. Describe any activities that are innovative and include
outcome-based performance measures, such as water quality monitoring,
to be implemented by the partner.
(i) Indicate whether the project will address specific regulatory
compliance and any other outcomes the partner expects to complete
during the project period.
(j) A detailed description of any requested adjustments, by
program, with an explanation of why the adjustment is needed in order
to achieve the objectives of the project. Requested adjustments or
flexibilities must comply with statutory and regulatory requirements.
[[Page 77]]
(k) A science-based description of how the proposal's objectives
also may provide additional benefits by addressing energy conservation
or mitigating the effects of climate change, if applicable.
(l) If applicable, a detailed description of a plan to conduct
water quality monitoring and evaluation and the reporting of progress
made toward achieving MRBI objectives and desired outcomes. NRCS is
especially interested in proposals that adopt a three-tiered monitoring
and evaluation approach designed to assess environmental outcomes at
the edge-of-field, in-stream, and at the 12-digit HUC level; however,
only those partners with the capacity to implement monitoring and
evaluation at these three tiers, or a partnership with an entity that
has agreed to perform this task, should include this in the project
proposal. Capacity includes the ability, expertise, available staff,
and any needed financial assistance beyond CCPI funding to conduct
monitoring and evaluation including identification of monitoring
locations, collection and analysis of samples, reporting of results,
etc.. If an entity other than the applicant entity will be responsible
for monitoring and evaluation, a letter of commitment is to be included
with the project proposal submission. Higher priority will be given to
projects that adopt this three-tiered approach where the partner
provides resources or technical services to carry it out. Higher
priority will also be given to projects that utilize environmental
indicators to assess water quality and evaluate effects of conservation
systems and activities implemented through the project at the edge-of-
field level in conjunction with in-stream and 12-digit HUC monitoring.
Information concerning water quality monitoring and evaluation can be
found at on the MRBI home page. The MRBI home page can be found by
searching for MRBI at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov.
(4) Partner Description:
(a) A description of the partner(s) history of working with
agricultural producers to address conservation priorities;
(b) A description of how the partner(s) will collaborate to achieve
the objectives of the agreement including:
i. The roles, responsibilities, and capabilities of the partner(s);
and
ii. The financial or technical commitments of each of the
partner(s) and how they will be leveraged by the Federal contribution
through EQIP, WHIP, CSP, or a combination of the three. Include
specifically what commitments will be used toward water quality
monitoring needs. If partners who do not submit the proposal intend to
commit resources, a letter or other documentation from these partners
confirming a commitment of specified resources is required.
(c) A description of the resources (financial and technical
assistance) requested from each of the applicable NRCS programs (EQIP,
WHIP, and CSP) and the non-Federal resources provided by the partner
that will be leveraged by the Federal contribution. Partners need to
clearly state, by project objective, how they intend to leverage
Federal funds along with partner resources. The funding and time
contribution by agricultural producers to implement agreed-to
conservation practices and enhancements in program contracts will not
be considered any part of a match from the potential partner for
purposes of CCPI.
(d) A description of how the partner will facilitate the submission
of landowner applications;
(e) A description of how the partner will provide for outreach to
beginning farmers or ranchers, limited resource farmers or ranchers,
socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, and Indian Tribes.
National Ranking Considerations
The agency will evaluate proposals using a national competitive
process. A higher priority may be given to proposals that:
(a) Have a high percentage of producers actively farming or
managing working agricultural or nonindustrial private forest lands
included in the proposed project area;
(b) Significantly leverage non-Federal financial and technical
resources and coordinate with other local, State, or Federal efforts.
This includes resources committed to provide for water quality
monitoring and evaluation of conservation practices;
(c) Integrate both WREP and CCPI within a project area;
(d) Deliver high percentages of applied conservation practices to
address water quality, wildlife habitat, and wetland restoration;
(e) Provide innovation in approved conservation practices,
conservation methods, and delivery, including outcome-based performance
measures and methods such as adaptive management strategies;
(f) Complete the application of the conservation practices and
activities on all of the covered program contracts or cost-share
agreements in 4 years or less;
(g) Assist the participants in meeting local, State, and Federal
regulatory requirements;
(h) Provide for environmental monitoring and evaluation of
conservation practices, enhancements, and activities, which includes
the ability, expertise, available staff, and any needed financial
assistance beyond CCPI funding to conduct monitoring and evaluation
including identification of monitoring locations, collection and
analysis of samples, reporting of results, etc.;
(i) Provide for outreach to, and participation of, beginning
farmers or ranchers, socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers,
limited resource farmers or ranchers, and Indian Tribes within the
proposed project area;
(j) Have a high potential to achieve MRBI water quality objectives
of nitrogen, phosphorous, and sediment reductions leaving the field;
and
(k) Identify other factors and criteria which best achieve the
purposes of MRBI-CCPI.
Part C--The Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program Component of MRBI
Availability of Funding
Effective upon publication of this notice, NRCS on behalf of the
CCC, announces that within the designated focus areas in the
Mississippi River Basin Watersheds, up to $25 million in financial
assistance funds are available in FY 2012 for WREP to eligible
participants through approved partnership projects within the 54
designated 8-digit HUC focus area watersheds in the following states:
Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota,
Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Under WREP, NRCS enters into multi-year agreements with eligible
State and local governments, nongovernmental organizations, and Indian
Tribes to target and leverage resources to carry out high priority
wetland protection, restoration, and enhancement activities; and
improve water quality and wildlife habitat. Eligible partners should
submit complete proposals to the addresses listed in this notice
addressing the MRBI conservation objectives to be achieved in one or
more 12-digit HUC watersheds within the 54 eligible 8-digit HUC focus
area watersheds. Proposals that integrate a MRBI-WREP proposal with a
MRBI-CCPI project in one or more 12-digit HUC watersheds will be given
additional consideration in the selection process.
Overview
WREP is a voluntary conservation program which is a component of
WRP. WREP leverages resources of eligible partners to provide financial
assistance
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to eligible landowners to protect, restore, and enhance high priority
wetlands; improve wildlife habitat; and improve water quality. WREP
partners are required to contribute a match as detailed in the proposal
requirement section at 3(e). Proposals which include additional partner
resources will be given higher priority consideration in the selection
process.
WREP financial assistance is delivered to eligible landowners and
partners in approved project areas through easement acquisition,
conservation program contracts, cooperative agreements, contribution
agreements, or Federal contracts. Restoration may be achieved through
payments to other parties who conduct the restoration activities.
Only States and local units of government, Indian Tribes, and
nongovernmental organizations are eligible to submit a proposal and
enter into agreements with NRCS. A nongovernmental organization is an
organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986. Individual landowners may not submit WREP proposals
through this submission process. However, once a WREP project has been
approved and announced, eligible landowners may apply for WREP through
their local NRCS office. As part of the agreement, approved partners
may also help facilitate the submission of landowner applications,
provide additional technical or financial assistance to landowners, and
provide other resources as defined in the agreement.
Written proposals are to be submitted by eligible partners, and
project evaluation will be based upon a competitive process and the
criteria established in this notice. Once NRCS selects a partner's
proposal, landowners within the selected project area may submit an
application directly to NRCS for participation in WRP. Individual
landowner applications will be evaluated and ranked along with other
applications in the watershed or geographic project area, when
applicable, to ensure that the properties selected for funding will
achieve project objectives.
Wetland restoration and enhancement actions will be designed to
improve water quality and maximize wildlife habitat benefits and
wetland functions and values according to the WRP regulation, 7 CFR
part 1467, and NRCS conservation practice standards. Additionally, the
successful restoration of land and the resultant wetland values must
take into consideration the cost of such restoration, as required by
the WRP statute and reflected in the WRP regulation at 7 CFR part
1467.4. Proposals must conform to the WRP guidelines for restoration
and management of lands subject to a WRP easement.
Benefits to the partners in WREP agreements include:
Involvement in wetland restorations in high priority MRBI
focus areas;
Ability to cost-share restoration or enhancement
components beyond those required by NRCS;
Ability to participate in management or monitoring of
selected project locations; and
Opportunity to utilize innovative restoration methods and
practices.
Land Eligibility
The land eligibility criteria for WREP are the same as for WRP and
are listed in 7 CFR 1467.4.
Proposal Requirements
For consideration, the proposal must be in the following format and
contain the information set forth below.
(1) Proposal Cover and Summary. The first few pages of the proposal
must include--
(a) Project Title.
(b) Project Director/Manager name, telephone, mailing address, and
email address.
(c) Name and contact information for lead partner submitting
proposal and other collaborating partners.
(d) Short general summary of project, including:
(i) Potential acres to be enrolled in the project area,
(ii) Designated 12-digit watershed(s) where the project is located,
including the State(s), and county(s). Include a general location map,
(iii) Proposed project start and end dates that do not exceed 4
consecutive years including FY 2012,
(iv) The project objectives and resource concerns to be addressed,
and
(v) Total amount of financial assistance being requested.
(2) Project Natural Resource Objectives and Actions. The proposal
must--
(a) Identify and provide detail about the wildlife and water
quality concerns to be addressed and how the proposal's objectives will
address those concerns. Objectives should be specific, measurable,
achievable, results-oriented, and include a timeline for completion.
(b) For each objective, identify the actions to be completed to
achieve that objective and address the identified natural resource
concern. Specify which actions are to be addressed through this project
using WREP assistance, and which are being addressed through alternate
non-Federal funding sources or other resources provided.
(c) Identify the total acres that require wetland protection,
restoration, and enhancement.
(3) Detailed Project Description. Information provided in the
proposal must include--
(a) A description of the partner(s) history of working
cooperatively with landowners on conservation easements.
(b) A description of the watershed characteristics within the
designated focus area covered by the proposal including a detailed
watershed map that indicates the project location. The description
should include information related to land use types, vegetation,
soils, hydrology, potential sources of water quality impairments,
occurrences of at-risk species, proximity to other protected areas, and
a summary of resource concerns. Proposals should state whether a MRBI-
WREP proposal is integrated with a MRBI-CCPI proposed project and
include the name of the proposed project.
(c) A description of the partner(s) and the roles,
responsibilities, and capabilities of the partner(s). Proposals which
include resources from partners other than the lead partner must
include a letter or other documentation confirming the commitment of
resources.
(d) A description of the project duration, plan of action, and
project implementation schedule. Project proposals cannot exceed 4
years.
(e) A description of the financial assistance resources that are
requested through WREP, and the non-Federal resources provided by the
partner(s) that will be leveraged by the Federal contribution. WREP
requires partners to contribute a match of:
(i) In-kind only contributions of at least 20 percent of the
restoration costs,
(ii) cash only contributions of at least 5 percent of the
restoration costs, or
(iii) a combination of in-kind and cash contributions of at least
20 percent of the restoration costs.
Proposals which include additional partner resources will be given
additional consideration in the selection process. Contributions
provided by the partners to achieve additional ranking points can be in
the form of technical or financial assistance for the protection,
restoration, and enhancement of the wetland. Contributions can also be
in the form of assistance with management and monitoring activities.
Contributions above the match requirement can be cash or in-kind
equipment or services. Partners may provide incentives to landowners to
participate in WREP;
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however, incentive payments will not be considered part of the match
requirement. Incentives include sign-up bonuses, practice incentive
payments, or similar activities not funded through WRP.
(f) Total budget for the project including all partner resources
which will be leveraged for the project and the amount of WREP
financial assistance being requested for project broken out by fiscal
year with totals. Include a description of the amount of funds needed
annually for easement acquisition and wetland restoration and
enhancement activities.
(g) A description of non-Federal resources that will be available
for implementation of the proposal. Proposals which include additional
non-Federal resources will be given higher consideration in the
selection process. The partner needs to state clearly how they intend
to leverage Federal funds along with partner resources. Landowner
contributions in the implementation of agreed-to wetland restoration
and enhancement practices may not be considered any part of a match
from the potential partner for purposes of WREP. Partners will also be
required to submit a plan for monitoring, evaluating, and reporting
progress made toward achieving the objectives of the agreement.
(h) An estimate of the percentage of potential landowners, or
estimate of the percentage of acres likely to be enrolled within the
project area, compared to the total number of potential landowners or
acres located in the project area. A statement on how the partner will
encourage participation to guarantee success of the project. It is not
necessary for a target area to involve multiple landowners to be
selected. Projects will be evaluated based on the ecological merits of
the proposal and contributions by the partners.
(i) A statement describing how the partner will provide outreach,
especially to encourage participation by Indian Tribes, beginning
farmers or ranchers, socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, and
limited resource farmers or ranchers.
(j) A description of the wetland protection, restoration, and
enhancement activities to be implemented during the project timeframe,
and the general sequence of implementation of the project. Activities
may include those efforts undertaken by the partner and those that the
partner requests NRCS to address through financial support.
National Ranking Considerations
The appropriate State Conservationist will evaluate proposals and
forward recommendations, with justification, to the NRCS Chief for
review and selection. The Chief will give a higher priority to
proposals that:
(a) Have a high potential to achieve wetland restoration;
(b) Have a high potential to significantly improve water quality;
(c) Have a high potential to significantly improve wildlife
habitat;
(d) Have a high potential to remove frequently flooded lands from
agricultural production returning lands to more natural conditions;
(e) Significantly leverage non-Federal financial and technical
resources and coordinate with other local, State, tribal, or Federal
efforts;
(f) Demonstrate the partner's history of working cooperatively with
landowners on conservation easements;
(g) Provide innovation in wetland protection, restoration,
enhancement, and management methods and outcome-based performance
measures and methods;
(h) Provide evidence that wetland restoration and enhancement
activities will be completed within 2 years of easement closing;
(i) Provide for monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of
the restoration activities on water quality;
(j) Provide for matching financial or technical assistance funds to
assist landowners with the implementation of the Wetlands Reserve Plan
of Operations and associated contracts;
(k) Facilitate the submission of landowner applications;
(l) Provide for outreach to, and participation of, Indian Tribes,
beginning farmers or ranchers, socially disadvantaged farmers or
ranchers, and limited resource farmers or ranchers within the area
covered by the agreement; and
(m) Integrate a MRBI-WREP proposal with a MRBI-CCPI proposed or
approved project.
Partnership Agreements
Upon proposal selection, NRCS will enter an agreement with a
partner as the mechanism for partner participation in WREP. At a
minimum, the agreement will address:
(a) The role of the partner;
(b) The role of NRCS;
(c) The format and frequency of reports that is required as a
condition of the agreement;
(d) The Plan of Work and budget to identify other funding sources
(if applicable) for financial or technical assistance;
(e) The specified project schedule and timeframe;
(f) Whether the agreement will serve as an obligating document or
whether funds will be obligated under a separate agreement with the
partner or with a third party; and
(g) Other requirements deemed necessary by NRCS to achieve purposes
of the WRP.
Landowner Application
Landowners must meet the eligibility requirements of WRP, as
published in 7 CFR part 1467. Landowners interested in participating
may apply for designated WREP funds at their local service center after
WREP proposals are selected. In FY 2012, NRCS will make WREP funds
available to eligible landowners to enroll land under a permanent
easement, a 30-year easement, a 30-year contract on acreage owned by
Indian Tribes, or through a Restoration Agreement.
NRCS and the partner may assist landowners in determining whether
the application is appropriate for WREP depending on the wetland
protection, restoration, and enhancement activities that the applicant
seeks to install or perform.
Signed the 22nd day of December, 2011, in Washington, DC.
Dave White,
Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation and Chief, Natural
Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-33692 Filed 12-30-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P