USDA Now Accepting Proposals for New Regional Conservation Partnership Program
USDA’s new Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) is now accepting proposals for conservation projects designed by local partners specifically for their region to improve soil health, water quality and water use efficiency, wildlife habitat, and other related natural resources on private lands. Eligible partners include water utilities, private companies, universities, non-profit organizations, local and tribal governments and others joining with agricultural and conservation organizations and producers to invest money, manpower and materials to their proposed initiatives.
The RCPP was authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill to streamline conservation efforts by combining four programs into one (the Agricultural Water Enhancement Program, Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative, the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative, and the Great Lakes Basin Program for Soil Erosion). The RCPP will provide $1.2 billion in funding over the life of the five-year program through three funding pools:
- 35 percent of total program funding is directed to critical conservation areas(including Great Lakes Region, Chesapeake Bay Watershed, Mississippi River Basin, Longleaf Pine Range, Columbia River Basin, California Bay Delta, Prairie Grasslands, and the Colorado River Basin);
- 40 percent is directed to regional or multi-state projects through a national competitive process; and
- 25 percent is directed to state-level projects through a competitive process established by NRCS state leaders.
Pre-proposals for the RCPP are due July 14th, and full proposals are due September 26. For more information on applying, read the announcement for program funding. To learn more about Regional Conservation partnerships, watch the USDA Venture Conservationist – USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program video. To learn about technical and financial assistance available through conservation programs, visitwww.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted or local USDA service center. For more on the 2014 Farm Bill, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/FarmBill.
