Transcript Protecting Working Lands: Through USDA Conservation Programs

Protecting Working
Lands:
Through USDA
Conservation Programs
Denise Coleman
National Farm and Ranch Lands Protection
Program Manager
USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service
2002 Farm Bill: Changing the Focus
Conservation Programs
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Easement Programs
Cost-Share Programs
Stewardship Program
Easement Programs for Working
Lands
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Farm and Ranch Lands Protection
Program (FRPP)
Grassland Reserve Program (GRP)
Grassland Reserve Program
Establishes a reserve of restored,
improved or natural grasslands,
rangeland and pastureland while
allowing lands to be grazed
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Program capped at 2 million
acres
Not less than 40 contiguous
acres of land
Provides for 10, 15, 20, and 30
year rental agreements, as
well as, 30 year and
permanent easements
How GRP Works:
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Continuous sign-up. Applications may be
submitted to USDA Service Center for
conservation easements or rental agreements at
any time.
Limit future use of the land while retaining the
right to graze, produce hay, mow or harvest for
seed production (subject to nesting season
restrictions for certain bird species)
Easements Held By the United States
Eligible Lands
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Grassland or land that contains forbs or shrubs;
Land that is located in an area that historically has been
dominated by grassland, forbs, and shrubs and has the
potential to provide habitat for animal and plant
populations of significant ecological value;
Incidental lands may also be enrolled; and
Lands owned by individuals who do not exceed $2.5
million for the three tax years immediately preceding the
year the contract is approved (an exemption is provided
in cases where 75% of the AGI is derived from farming,
ranching, or forestry operations).
Enrollment Options
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Permanent Easement: Based on the appraised fair
market value, less the grazing value
30-year Easement: Easement payment equal to 30% of
fair market value, less the grazing value
Rental Agreement: Annual payments not to exceed 75%
of the grazing value of the land for the life of the
agreement.
Restoration Agreement: 90% cost share for lands that
have never been cultivated; 75% on restored grasslands
(in-kind contributions allowed)
Farm and Ranch Lands Protection
Program
The purpose of FRPP is
to provide matching
funds to State, Tribal and
local governments and
nongovernmental
organizations to
purchase permanent
conservation easements
for the purpose of
protecting topsoil by
limiting nonagricultural
uses of the land.
Eligible Lands
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Farms or ranches must be privately owned and contain:
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at least 50% of prime, unique, or statewide or locally important
soil, or
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a historical or archaeological resource on the State or National
Register, or formally eligible for the National Register.
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Includes cropland, rangeland, grassland, and pasture land, as well
as wetlands and incidental (less than 50 percent) forest land that
are part of an agricultural operation.
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Eligible land must be owned by landowners who certify that they do
not exceed the Adjusted Gross Income limitation eligibility
requirements.
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Subject to a pending offer. Pending offer is defined as a willing
seller and willing buyer, with cash or donations in hand at the time of
application.
How the Program Works:
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NRCS uses a public notice process to request
FRPP applications from eligible governmental
entities and non-governmental organizations.
During the application window, eligible entities
submit parcels that they would like to protect.
At the State level, NRCS funds applications that
meet FRPP national and state criteria.
$497 million authorized level
Ineligible Lands
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Public Land, unless the acquisition is temporary and
the land is transferred prior to easement closure.
Land that is already subject to an easement or other
deed restrictions that prevents its conversion to nonagricultural use.
Land owned by a Trust, whose purpose is to protect
historical or natural resources, such as open space,
wildlife habitat, and cultural resources, unless the
acquisition is temporary and the land is transferred
prior to easement closure.
Land owned or operated by a landowner not in
compliance with highly erodible land or wetland
compliance provisions.
Applying for FRPP
1. State Office Develops State
FRPP Plan
2. Landowner Submit
Applications to Participating
Entities
3. National Office Issues
Request for Proposal
4. Participating Entities Submit
Applications to NRCS State
Office
5. State Conservationist
Determines Eligibility
6. State Conservationist Rank
Applications
Submitting an Application:
Necessary Information
Organization and Program Information
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Demonstrated Commitment (years, staff
capacity, funding)
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Demonstrated Capability to Hold and Manage
Easements (easement acreage)
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Demonstrated Staff Capacity
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Demonstrated Availability of Funds
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Title and Appraisal Policy
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Pending Offers ($ in hand)
Submitting An Application
Lands to Be Acquired
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Map of Proposed Parcels
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Amount and Source of Funding Available
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Acquisition Criteria
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Detailed Description of Parcels
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Map of Other Protected Parcels
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Estimated Easement Cost
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Current Appraisals (parcels receive higher
ranking)
Submitting An Application
Lands to be Acquired Cont.
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Example of Proposed Easement Deed
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Indication of Accessibility to Markets
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Indication of Existing Agricultural Infrastructure
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Indication of Development Threat
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Other Assessment Factors
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Other Partners
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Any State Required Information
Alabama Facts-2003
FRPP-$1.2 million to protect 622 acres on
four farms
 GRP-nearly $1 million, approximately
$300,000 devoted to easement acquisition
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FRPP & GRP Information
FRPP website:
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/fpp/
 GRP website:
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http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/GRP/
FRPP Manual website:
http://policy.nrcs.usda.gov/scripts/lpsiis.dll/M/M_44
0_519.htm