Federal Conservation Programs
Federal programs offer both wildlife easement and working lands program opportunities. Administration of these programs includes several different federal agencies such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service and often additional partnering state or nongovernmental organizations. Many of these programs are part of the Conservation Title of the 2002 Farm Bill.
Examples of these programs include the following:
Conservation Security Program Resources
Welcome to CRC's resource information on the Conservation Security Program (CSP). This is a program that is implemented by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). These links and documents are provided for the convenience of our members. NRCS maintains a site specifically devoted to CSP, which can be accessed at www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp.
However, some key resources of particular interest to our members include:
- CRC's Most Recent CSP Article (Feb/March 2006)
- California NRCS Page
- Directory of Local NRCS Offices
- List of Enhancement Practices for FY 2006 Rice Watersheds
- New Watershed Maps
Conservation Planning Assistance Pilot Resources
Welcome to CRC's resource for information on the Conservation Planning Assistance Pilot Program. This is a program that is implemented by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). These links and documents are provided for the convenience of our members. The California State NRCS office maintains a site listing all of their programs and information. It can be accessed at http://www.ca.nrcs.usda.gov/
However, some key Conservation Planning Assistance Pilot Program information can be accessed at the following two links:
Announcement on the Conservation Planning Assistance Pilot Program (October 2005):
http://www.usda.gov/2005/09/0391.xml
Conservation and Areawide Planning Guidance from NRCS:
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/planning
Conservation Technical Assistance Guidance from NRCS:
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cta
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Conservation Easement Program: The Fish and Wildlife Service will pay willing landowners approximately 40 to 60 percent of their property's fair market value to purchase the farming and development rights in perpetuity. While farming and development are prohibited on easement lands, the landowner retains many rights including: trespass rights, mineral rights, grazing rights, the right to hunt and/or operate a hunting club, and the ability to pursue other types of undeveloped recreation. The Fish and Wildlife Service does not require landowners to flood their property; however, the FWS does reserve the right to flood easement properties at the government's expense. Landowners are not required to follow a management plan, but they are encouraged to participate in various programs for habitat restoration, enhancement and management. For further information contact Craig Isola at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex at 530/934-2801.
Wetland Reserve Program: The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)administers this program that provides landowners financial incentives to retire farmland and restore it to wetland. Eligible property must have hydric (wetland) soils and an agricultural history. The program offers landowners three options: permanent easements, 30-year easements, and 10-year restoration agreements. Permanent easements purchase development rights in perpetuity and the payment will be the lesser of: 1) the land's agricultural value, 2) an established payment capped at $2,000 per acre or 3) an amount offered by the landowner. In addition to the permanent easement payment, the NRCS may pay up to 100 percent of the cost of restoring easement lands back to wetlands. The 30-year easement buys the property development rights for 30 years and pays 75 percent of the permanent easement's value and 75 percent of the restoration costs. The 10-year restoration agreement does not put an easement on the property, but instead it pays 75 percent of the cost of restoration and requires that the restored wetland be maintained for a minimum of ten years. Undeveloped recreation activities, such as hunting and fishing, are allowed and other uses such as livestock grazing must be negotiated. For further information contact your county NRCS/USDA office.
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), through the Farm Service Agency (PSA), pays rice landowners $165 per acre per year to enter into 10-year agreements to forego farming and establish upland habitat on their property. In addition to the yearly payment, the FSA will pay up to 50 percent of the costs of establishing the upland habitat. Eligible property must have been owned by the applicant for at least one year and must have been farmed two of the previous five years. For further information contact the North Central Valley Coordinator Ed Burns at 916/648-1406 or your local FSA office.
Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) provides participating landowners 50 percent of the implementation costs for wetland restoration and enhancement projects. Once a project is selected for funding, the landowner and the FWS enter into an agreement in which the FWS agrees to reimburse the cooperating landowner for 50 percent of the project cost and the landowner agrees to maintain the project for a minimum of ten years. The landowner's contribution towards the project may be met through cash expenditures and/or in-kind services. For additional information, contact Craig Isola at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex at 530/934-2801.
Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program: The NRCS provides landowners up to 75 percent of the costs for habitat restoration and enhancement projects. Applications and project proposals are submitted annually for funding. When funded, the NRCS agrees to reimburse the landowner for up to 75 percent of the project costs and the landowner agrees to maintain the project for a minimum of ten years. For additional information contact your county NRCS/USDA office.
