Transcript Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)

United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
GRASSLAND RESERVE
PROGRAM (GRP)
Farm Security and Rural
Investment Act of 2002
Slide 1
GRP - Purpose
• Assist landowners restore and conserve
grassland, rangeland, and certain other
lands, by protecting those grazing lands
most at-risk from conversion.
Slide 2
GRP - General
• Awaiting interim rule release
• Administered jointly by the FSA and the
NRCS
Slide 3
GRP - General
• No more than two million acres enrolled
through 2007
• 2003 National allowance - $49.9 million
• 60 percent of funds for easements and 30
year agreements nationally
Slide 4
GRP - Prohibited Uses
• Production of crops, fruit trees,
vineyards that require breaking the soil
surface
• Any other activity that would disturb the
surface of the land except appropriate
identified land management activities
Slide 5
GRP – Reserved Activities
• Common grazing practices consistent
with conservation plan
• Haying, mowing, or harvesting for
seed production
• Fire rehabilitation and construction of
firebreaks and fences
Slide 6
GRP – Enrollment Options
• Easements
– Permanent
– 30-Year
• Agreements
– 10, 15, 20, and 30-year
Slide 7
GRP – Payments
• Easements
- Permanent - fair market value less
grazing value
- 30-Year – 30 percent of fair market
value less grazing value
• Agreements
- Annual rental payments - not more
that 75 percent of grazing value Slide 8
GRP – Payments
• Restoration
- In conjunction with easement or
agreement
- Up to 90 percent on uncultivated
- Up to 75 percent on restored
grasslands
Slide 9
GRP – Selecting Offers
• CCC shall emphasize:
– Support for grazing operations
– Plant and animal diversity
– Greatest threat of conversion
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