69th SWCS International Annual Conference July 27-30, 2014 Lombard, IL

1. Update on
Conservation Program
Implementation

2. 2014 Farm Bill
EQIP – Environmental Quality Incentives Program
• Authorized $1.3 B 2014 to $1.75 B 2018
• 7/28 Status: $298 M Obligated in > 14 K Contracts;
> 63 K applications in review
CSP – Conservation Stewardship Program
• Authorized 10 M acres / yr
• Status: Sign-up closed Feb. 2014; > 14 K Applications
for > 12 M acres; Obligations by Sept.
2
Opportunities for Working Lands

3. 2014 Farm Bill
ACEP – Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
• Consolidates:
– *FRPP-Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program
– *GRP-Grasslands Reserve Program,
– WRP-Wetland Reserve Program
• Authorized $400 M 2014; $425 M 2015
• Status: Signup Completed
(>1450 applications; $546 M requests)
*Agriculture Land Easements (protect ag. lands) 3
Opportunities for Working Lands

4. 2014 Farm Bill
Conservation Compliance
• Re-linked to Insurance Premium
Subsidies
• Wetland Mitigation Banks ($10M)
ACEP – Agricultural Conservation
Easement Program
• WRE-Wetlands Reserve Easements
• ALE-Agricultural Land Easements
4
Protecting Grasslands and Wetlands

5. 5
2014 Farm Bill
Regional Conservation Partnership
Program
Consolidates:
Chesapeake Bay Watershed Init.
Coop. Cons. Partnership Init.
Ag. Water Enhancement Program
Great Lakes Basin Program
Funding:
$220 – 250 M / yr
State, National, Critical
Conservation Area Funding Pools

6. 6
2014 Farm Bill
Regional Conservation Partnership
Program
Status:
APF - 5/27/14
Pre-proposals - 7/14/14 (> 580)
Full proposal invitations - Aug.

7. Beginning Farmers and Ranchers,
Historically Underserved and
Veterans
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8. Watershed Dam Rehabilitation
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Annual Benefits:
• $2.2 B
• 47 M Americans
Funding:
• $12 M 2014
• $250 M Farm Bill
Projects Identified (P, D, C):
• 150 dams, 26 states
• 500 dam assessments
• Increased capacity

9. Voluntary Public Access and
Habitat Incentives Program
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Competitive Grants
$40 M total; $20 M 2014
Status:
• APF - 5/1/14
• Closed - 6/16/14
• Awards - August

10. More Timelines
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• Wetland Mitigation Bank Listening
Sessions: DC 7/23-24, IA 7/28, MN
7/29, SD 7/30, ND 7/31
• Regulation adjustments to
accommodate: RCPP, VPA-HIP,
Watershed – Aug.
• Publish Regs. for Public Comment:
EQIP, ACEP, CSP – Sept.

11. 2014 Farm Bill
Farm Bill EQIP: Fact Sheet:

12. 2014 Farm Bill
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Resources and Requirements

13. 2014 Farm Bill
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