USDA Announces $38 Million for Cooperative Conservation Projects

On January 17, 2006, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner, announced the availability of nearly $38 million in funding for competitively selected proposals from state and local governments, nongovernmental organizations, federally-recognized Indian tribes, and individuals for projects in four conservation emphasis areas.

"These funding opportunities are examples of the Bush Administration's continuing commitment to encouraging cooperative conservation between government and private partners," said Conner.

Kansas To Participate In 2006 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIGs) State Competition

Kansas, along with several other states, will be participating in the Fiscal Year 2006 CIGs "state component." Information on each state competition can be obtained by going to the NRCS CIG web site. Deadline for Kansas CIG proposals is April 28, 2006.

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Harold L. Klaege announced the availability of $150,000 for new technology under the CIG in Kansas. CIG, a component of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), provides farmers and ranchers with the opportunity, through innovation, to address some of the states most pressing natural resource conservation needs.

"These grants offer an opportunity to promote public-private partnerships and support the agency's agenda to provide innovative technologies and approaches to environmental enhancement and protection on working agriculture lands," Klaege stated.

State, Tribal, and local governmental entities, non-governmental organizations, and individuals may apply. Project proposals should demonstrate the use of innovative technologies or approaches to address a natural resource concern. Project results are expected to improve and create the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches (such as market-based systems) into NRCS technical manuals or guides or to the private sector.

Applications are due in the Kansas NRCS state office by April 28, 2006. Project proposals will be evaluated with the assistance of the Kansas Technical Committee based on the criteria identified in the request for proposal.

Selected applicants may receive grants up to 50 percent of the total project cost, not to exceed $50,000. Applicants must provide non-federal matching funds for at least 50 percent of the project cost, of which 50 percent may be from in-kind contributions. Projects may be single or multi-year, not to exceed three years.

Other NRCS grant opportunities that are currently available include:

• $20 million for CIGs, at the National level, for development and adoption of innovative conservation technologies and approaches, in conjunction with agricultural production. Deadline for proposals is March 20, 2006.
• $9.5 million for Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program partnership proposals that address wetland creation and enhancement efforts on prior-year enrolled contracts, those where cooperators will contribute significantly to the Wetlands Reserve Program delivery and technical assistance costs, and easement management projects. Deadline for proposals is March 28, 2006.
• $4 million for the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) for proposals to control and manage invasive species affecting grazing lands. The GLCI, a partnership of individuals and organizations, maintains and improves the management, productivity, and health of the Nation's privately-owned grazing land. Deadline for proposals is April 3, 2006.
• $4 million for Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI) proposals to help partners identify and solve regional, state, and local natural resources concerns. CCPI offers a "conservation priorities" component that will fund watershed or airshed planning projects that address terrestrial and freshwater aquatic wildlife habitat, invasive species, livestock nutrient management, minor and specialty crop management, and agricultural air quality. CCPI also offers the new Rapid Watershed Assessments component that the NRCS will use to provide cost-effective watershed assessments quickly to stakeholders and partners. Deadline for proposals is March 7, 2006.

The request for proposals can be found at Grants.gov.

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Last Modified: 02/07/2006