10.062 Water Bank Program
FEDERAL
AGENCY: NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
AUTHORIZATION: Water Bank Act, Public Law 91-559, Public Law
96- 182.
OBJECTIVES: To conserve surface waters; preserve and improve
the Nation's Wetlands; increase migratory waterfowl habitat in nesting,
breeding and feeding areas in the U.S.; and secure environmental benefits for
the Nation.
| PROGRAM AND AWARD | FINANCIAL AND INFORMATION CONTACTS |
| ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS | FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO. |
| APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS | INFORMATION CONTACTS |
| RELATED PROGRAMS | ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS |
| PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS | POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS |
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Direct Payments for Specified Use.
USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: 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.
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:
Preapplication 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.
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.
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: FY 99 $596,992; FY 00 est $730,383; and FY 01
est $0. Note: From carryover funds.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance: $7 to $75 per
acre; $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.
RELATED PROGRAMS: 10.902, Soil and Water
Conservation; 15.611, Wildlife Restoration.
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: Not applicable.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS: Not applicable.