|
Grant Community.com Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Descriptions |
CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC
ASSISTANCE
10.913: Farmland Protection Program
|
| 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 |
Applicant Eligibility: Any local or State agency, county or groups of counties, municipality, town or township, soil and water conservation district, or Indian tribe or tribal organization, that has a farmland protection program that purchases conservation easements for the purpose of protecting topsoil by limiting conversion to non-agricultural uses of land, and that has pending offers may apply for funds. This program is available in all 50 States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoas, the Mariana Islands, and the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands. Individuals must apply through their local agency that handles purchase of development rights programs. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Beneficiary Eligibility: Any local or State agency, county or groups of counties, municipality, town or township, soil and water conservation district or Indian tribe or tribal organization may apply.
Credentials/Documentation: Entities must provide documents indicating their commitment to long-term conservation of agricultural lands through legal devices, such as right-to-farm laws, agricultural districts, zoning, or land use plan; uses of voluntary approach to protect farmland from conversion to non-agricultural uses; and their capability to acquire, manage, and enforce rights or interests on land. Programs must have a systematic plan for acquiring conservation easements, have a proven commitment, and sufficient funds.
Preapplication Coordination: Potential applicants must submit documents to the appropriate State Office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and work with NRCS to develop a statewide priority list. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure: Application information is included in a Notice of Request for Proposals published in the Federal Register. It is available from the State Offices of the (NRCS), the Federal Register and USDA NRCS home page, and the Farmland Information Library homepage.
Award Procedure: NRCS State Offices work with the applicant entities to review their programs, evaluate the priority lists, and forward the proposals through the respective NRCS Regional Office to the NRCS National Headquarters for national consideration.
Deadlines: Annually, depending on funding availability and is announced through a Notice of Request for Proposals published in the Federal Register.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Indicated on the Notice of Request for Proposals published in the Federal Register.
Appeals: Not applicable.
Renewals: Not applicable.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals: Criteria used for selecting proposals are: The type and terms of easements, the use by a cooperating entity of a land evaluation and site assessment system to evaluate applications for their program, a programmatic process for systematic easement acquisition, evidence of a successful program, and the magnitude of the resources protected.
Examples of Funded Projects: 1) California Department of Conservation's Agricultural Land Stewardship Program; 2) Florida St. Johns River Water Management District's Georgia-Pacific Project; 3) Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture's Agricultural Preservation Restriction Program; 4) Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management's Farmland Purchase of Development Rights Program; and 5) Vermont Housing and Conservation Board's Farmland Conservation Easement Program. The Farmland Protection Program provides an opportunity to expand the Federal partnerships with States, Tribes, and local government entities to preserve farmland for future generations; to protect strategic farmland from urbanization; maintain, restore, and enhance ecosystem; protect historic landscapes, scenic beauty, and open space; and sustain rural economic stability and development.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance: $100,000 to $1,900,000 per cooperating entity; $387,162.
None.
USDA cooperated with 41 entities in 18 States in fiscal year 1999 to initiate the process to acquire conservation easements on about 230 farms, 82,000 acres, and an estimate of $134 million in easement values. The FPP has increased awareness and interest nationwide in establishing local purchase of development rights programs for the protection of the farmland from conversion to non-agricultural uses.
Federal Agency: NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE, (DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE )
Type of Assistance: Direct Payments for Specified Use.
Obligations: (Direct Payments) FY 99 $0; FY 00 est $240,000; and FY 01 est $0. (Technical Assistance) FY 99 $0; FY 00 est $0; and FY 01 est $0.
Budget Account Number: 12-1000-0-1-302; 12-4336-0-1-302.
Authorization: Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, Section 388.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature: Notice of Request for Proposals, Federal Register, 61 FR 43226 and 62 FR 28836.
Regional or Local Office: For a list of NRCS State Offices with phone numbers and addresses, see Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Headquarters Office: Community Assistance and Rural Development Division, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture, P. O. Box 2890, Washington, D. C. 20013. Phone: (202) 720-2847, fax: (202) 690-0639. (Home Page)
(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)
Formula and Matching Requirements: Each cooperating agency is to fund its own participation for easement acquisition. Nonfederal funds must be at least 50 percent of the fair market easement value. Each cooperating agency is to fund its own administrative costs in acquiring easements, such as survey or title search, and costs incurred in managing and enforcing the easements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Federal funds must be disbursed within two years after signing the cooperative agreement. Technical assistance to maintain the conservation plan, however, is provided through the life of the easement.
Uses and Use Restrictions: Funds are provided to establish partnerships with States, Tribes, or local government entities to leverage their purchase of development rights programs. Federal share for any easement acquisition is limited to a maximum of 50 percent of the fair market easement value. A conservation plan is required for each easement acquired. Acquisition of an easement or other interests on land is for a minimum duration of 30 years, preferably, in perpetuity. A contingent remainder right would be incorporated in the easement deed for the protection of the Federal investment. A failure of title would require the cooperating entity to reimburse the United States for the Federal share of the easement value.
Reports: Annual reports on the status of the easements acquired will be prepared by NRCS. Reports on the funds disbursing will be prepared by the Farm Service Agency.
Audits: An audit may be made in accordance with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-102 Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and local governments and other related Circulars.
Records: Records of easements acquired will be maintained for the life of the easements by the cooperating entity.
About
News Grant
Management Software Federal
Grant Programs Audits
Studies Expenditures
Links
Last Updated, November, 2000
Comments or Questions? ©Grant
Community.com 2000, All Rights Reserved