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The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Farm Service Agency (FSA) in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) currently administer over 20 programs and subprograms that are directly or indirectly available to assist producers and landowners who wish to practice conservation on agricultural lands. The differences and number of these programs and the differences among them have created generalsome confusion about the purpose, participation, and policies of the programs. While recent consolidation efforts removed somesome effort has been made to remove duplication, a large number of programs remain. The programs discussed in this report in tabular form are as follows
This tabular presentation provides basic information covering each of the programs. In each case, a brief program description is followed by information on major amendments in the Agricultural Act of 2014 (P.L. 113-79, 2014Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-334, 2018 farm bill), national scope and availability, states with the greatest participation, the backlog of applications orand other measures of continuing interest, program funding authority, FY2018FY2019 funding, FY2019FY2020 Administration budget request, statutory authority, the authorization expiration date, and a link to the program's website.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers a number of agricultural conservation programs that assist private landowners with natural resource concerns. These include working land programs, land retirement and easement programs, watershed programs, emergency programs, technical assistance, and other programs. The number and funding levels for agricultural conservation programs have steadily increased over the past 60 years. Early conservation efforts undertaken by Congress were focused on reducing high levels of soil erosion and providing water to agriculture in quantities and quality that enhanced farm production. By the early 1980s, however, concern was growing that these programs were not adequately dealing with environmental problems resulting from agricultural activities (especially off the farm)—especially those occurring off the farm—resulting from agricultural activities. In 1985, conservation policy took a new direction when Congress passed the Food Security Act of 1985 (1985 farm bill, P.L. 99-198), which established the first conservation programs designed to deal with environmental issues resulting from agricultural activities.
Provisions enacted in subsequent farm bills, including in 1990, 1996, 2002, 2008, 2014, and 2018and 2014,1 reflect a rapid evolution of the conservation agenda, including the growing influence of environmentalists and other nonagricultural interests in the formulation of conservation policy, and a recognition that agriculture was not treated like other business sectors in many environmental laws.2 Congress also began funding many of these new programs through mandatory spending for the first time, using the borrowing authority of USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC)3 as the funding mechanism instead of annual appropriations. In addition to the original soil erosion and water quality and quantity issues, the conservation agenda has continued to expand to address other natural resource concerns, such as wildlife habitat, air quality, wetlands restoration and protection, energy efficiency, and sustainable agriculture.
Lead agricultural conservation agencies within USDA are the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), which provides technical assistance and administers most conservation programs, and the Farm Service Agency (FSA), which administers the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). These agencies are supported by others in USDA that supply research and educational assistance, including the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the Economic Research Service (ERS), the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), and the Forest Service (FS).4 In addition, agricultural conservation programs involve a large array of partners, including other federal agencies, state and local governments, and private organizations, among others, who provide funds, expertise, and other forms of assistance to further agricultural conservation efforts.
USDA provides technical and financial assistance to attract interest and encourage participation in conservation programs. Participation in all USDA conservation programs is voluntary. These programs endeavor to protect soil, water, wildlife, and other natural resources on privately owned agricultural lands to limit environmental impacts of production activities both on and off the farm, while maintaining or improving production of food and fiber. Some of these programs center on improving or restoring resources that have been degraded, while others seek to create conditions with the objective of limiting degradation in the future.
|
USDA Agricultural Conservation Programs Working Lands Programs—typically classified as programs that allow private land to remain in production, while implementing various conservation practices to address natural resource concerns specific to the area.
Land Retirement and Easement Programs—land retirement programs provide federal payments to private agricultural landowners for temporary changes in land use or management to achieve environmental benefits. Conversely, conservation easements impose a permanent or long-term land-use restriction that is voluntarily placed on the land in exchange for a government payment.
Watershed Programs—NRCS partners with local sponsors to carry out activities for soil conservation; flood prevention; conservation, development, utilization, and disposal of water; watershed surveys; and dam rehabilitation.
Emergency Programs—provide disaster assistance for farmland rehabilitation and impairments to watersheds. Programs are usually funded through supplemental appropriation acts.
Compliance—provisions that prohibit a producer from receiving many federal farm program benefits (including conservation assistance and crop insurance) when conservation program requirements for highly erodible lands and wetlands are not met.
Technical Assistance Programs—provides landowners with science-based conservation information and technical expertise (e.g., engineering and biological) unique to the region and land use type. Usually does not include financial assistance.
Other Conservation Programs and Provisions—Conservation Innovation Grants, Grassroots Source Water Protection Program, Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program, and Water Bank Program. |
ThoughAlthough programs in this report are listed alphabetically, agricultural conservation programs can be grouped into the following categories based on similarities: working land programs, land retirement and easement programs, watershed programs, emergency programs,5 compliance,6 technical assistance, and other programs and overarching provisionslands, land retirement, easement, partnership and grants, compliance,5 technical assistance, emergency assistance,6 watershed, and other programs and provisions (Figure 1).
The majority of conservation programs are funded through USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) as mandatory spending. Congress authorizes mandatory programs at specified funding levels (or acreage enrollment levels for CRP and CSP) for multiple years, typically through omnibus legislation such as the farm bill. Mandatory programs are funded at these levels unless Congress limits funding to a lower amount through the appropriations or legislative process (or puts a ceiling on acreage that can be enrolled).7 Discretionary programs are funded each year through the annual appropriations process.8
Despite a steady increase in mandatory funding authority, select conservation programs have been reduced or capped through annual appropriation acts since FY2003. Many of these spending reductions were at the request of the Administration. The mix of programs and amount of reductions vary from year to year. Some programs, such as the CRP, have not been reduced by appropriators in recent years, while others, such as EQIP, have been repeatedly reduced below authorized levels. Authorized mandatory funding for conservation programs has been reduced by a total of more than $4 billion over the past 10 years. FY2018 marks the first time in 15 years that an appropriations act does not reduce mandatory conservation program funding.
Source: CRS. The conservation title of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 farm bill; P.L. 115-334, Title II) reauthorized and amended many of the largest conservation programs and created a number of new pilot programs, carve-outs, and initiatives. The House- and Senate-passed farm bills (H.R. 2) each included a number of amendments to existing conservation programs, many of which did not overlap. This generally resulted in the inclusion of a mix of amendments from each chamber in the enacted bill and an overall expansion in the number of conservation programs and initiatives. For additional information on conservation programs in the 2018 farm bill, see CRS Report R45698, Agricultural Conservation in the 2018 Farm Bill. The tabular presentation that follows provides basic information covering each of the USDA agricultural conservation programs, including Sequestration has also hadSequestration continues to have an effect on conservation programs. Sequestration is a process of automatic, largely across-the-board reductions that permanently cancel mandatory and/or discretionary budget authority to enforce statutory budget goals.9 Discretionary accounts have avoided sequestration in recent years through adjustments to spending limits, although sequestration continues on mandatory accounts. Most all mandatory conservation programs were subject to sequestration in FY2014 through FY2018FY2019.10 Even with sequestration and appropriations act reductions, total annual mandatory fundingbudget authority for conservation programs has grown from a total of $3.9 billion in FY2008 to over $56.7 billion in FY2019.11
2018 Farm Bill
billion in FY2018.
Before the 1985 farm bill, few conservation programs existed, and only two would be considered large by today's standards. In contrast, leading up to the debate on the 2014 farm bill, there were over 20 distinct conservation programs with total annual spending greater than $5 billion. The differences and number of these programs created general confusion about the purpose, participation, and policies of the programs. Discussion about simplifying or consolidating conservation programs to reduce overlap and duplication, and to generate savings, continued for a number of years. The Agricultural Act of 2014 (P.L. 113-79, 2014 farm bill), contained several program consolidation measures, including the repeal of 12 active and inactive programs, the creation of two new programs, and the merging of two programs into existing ones.11
A number of conservation programs were repealed by the 2014 farm bill or have gone unfunded by Congress in recent years. Table 1 lists these programs and the most recent congressional action taken.
|
Program Name |
Action-Year |
Description |
|
Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP) |
Repealed-2014 |
A subprogram of EQIP that provided funding for water quality and quantity projects. Repealed in the 2014 farm bill and incorporated into RCPP. |
|
Chesapeake Bay Watershed Program |
Repealed-2014 |
Provided additional funding through existing programs to conservation projects in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Repealed in the 2014 farm bill and incorporated into RCPP. |
|
Conservation Security Program |
New enrollment unauthorized-2008 |
Replaced by the Conservation Stewardship Program in the 2008 farm bill, the program enrolled acres in 5- to 10-year stewardship contracts, the last of which will expire in FY2018. |
|
Farmland Protection Program (FPP) |
Repealed-2014 |
An agricultural land easement program repealed in the 2014 farm bill. Program components were incorporated into the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). |
|
Grasslands Reserve Program (GRP) |
Repealed-2014 |
A grassland easement and contract program repealed in the 2014 farm bill. Easement provisions were incorporated into ACEP and rental contracts were incorporated into CRP. |
|
Resource Conservation and Program (RC&D) Development |
Unfunded since-FY2011 |
Funded local RC&D coordinator positions. Funding terminated in FY2011 and program close-out complete in FY2012. FY2014 appropriations act permanently cancelled any remaining funds. |
|
Watershed Surveys and Planning |
Unfunded since-FY2007 |
Funded investigations and surveys of river basins to respond to water quality, flooding, water and land management, and sedimentation problems. |
|
Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) |
Repealed-2014 |
A wetland easement program repealed in the 2014 farm bill. Program components were incorporated into ACEP. |
|
Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program |
Repealed-2014 |
A wildlife habitat cost-share assistance program repealed in the 2014 farm bill. Program components were incorporated into EQIP. |
Source: CRS.
The tabular presentation that follows provides basic information covering each of the USDA agricultural conservation programs, including
Information for the following tables is drawn from agency budget presentations, explanatory notes, and websites; written responses to questions published each year in hearing records of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittees of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees; and spending estimates from the Congressional Budget Office. Further information about these programs may be found on the NRCS website at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov and on the "conservation programs" page of the FSA website at http://www.fsa.usda.gov.
|
Administering agency(s) |
NRCS |
||
|
Program description |
ACEP provides financial and technical assistance through two types of easements: agricultural land easements that limit nonagricultural uses on productive farm or grass lands, and wetland reserve easements that protect and restore wetlands. Agricultural Land Easements (ALE)—Enrollment is through eligible entities that enter into cooperative Wetland Reserve Easement (WRE)—Enrollment options (federal share) include permanent easements (100% easement value and 75%-100% restoration cost), 30-year easements (50%-75% easement value and 50%-75% restoration cost), term easements or the maximum duration under state law (50%-75% easement value and 50%-75% restoration cost), and 30-year contracts only available to Indian tribes (50%-75% easement value and 50%-75% restoration cost). NRCS pays all costs associated with recording the easement. |
||
|
Major 20 ACEP was reauthorized and amended with most changes affecting ALE. Amendments to ALE include providing additional flexibilities to ACEP-eligible entities; creating a new "buy-protect-sell" transaction; reducing the eligible entity's nonfederal contribution; changing USDA's administrative role; and clarifying requirements for subordination, exchange, modification, and termination of easements. Amendments to WRE center on changes to compatible use and vegetative cover requirements. Funding for ACEP was also increased. National scope |
Created in the 2014 farm bill from three repealed programs—Farmland Protection Program, Grassland Reserve Program, and Wetlands Reserve Program. General program provisions are the same across both easement types, including ineligible land; subordination, exchange, modification, and termination procedures; and compliance requirements. |
||
|
National scope |
|
||
|
Leading states |
The highest levels of funding obligated in |
||
|
Backlog/Interest |
Agricultural Land Easements (ALE)—In Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE)—In |
||
|
Funding authority |
Mandatory |
||
|
FY201 |
$ |
||
|
|
$ |
||
|
Statutory authority |
Authorized in subtitle D of Title II (§2301) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (P.L. 113-79) as §1265 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (P.L. 99-198), as amended. Amended in §§2601-2605 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-334). 16 U.S.C. §§3865-3865d. |
||
|
Authorization expires |
September 30, |
||
|
Program website |
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/easements/acep/ |
|
Administering agency(s) |
NRCS (conservation assistance), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS, organic certification), and Risk Management Agency (RMA, production, price, or revenue risk reduction). Beginning in 2017, AMS transferred organic certification cost-share functions under AMA to FSA. |
|
Program description |
AMA provides cost-sharing assistance under contracts of one to 10 years to producers in 16 specified states where participation in the federal crop insurance program has been historically low. Producers use this assistance to construct or improve water management and irrigation structures, plant trees, control soil erosion, practice integrated pest management, practice organic farming, develop value-added processing, and enter into futures, hedging, or options contracts to reduce production, price, or revenue risk. |
|
Major 20 |
|
|
National scope |
Not available nationwide. Eligible states |
|
Leading states |
States with the most funds obligated (for conservation only) in |
|
Backlog/Interest |
|
|
Funding authority |
Mandatory |
|
FY201 |
$9.3 million, including |
|
|
$ |
|
Statutory authority |
Authorized in Title I, §133 of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-224) as §524(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act, as amended. 7 U.S.C. §1524(b). |
|
Authorization expires |
Permanent authorization. |
|
Program websites |
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/ama (NRCS); http://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/occsp (AMS); and https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/occsp/index (FSA). |
|
Administering agency(s) |
NRCS |
|
Program description |
Conservation Operations (CO) is the primary account funding technical assistance within NRCS. More than 88% of CO funding is for Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA), which provides conservation planning and implementation assistance through field staff placed in almost all counties within the United States and territories. This assistance is provided to producers and land owners who voluntarily apply natural resource conservation systems, consisting of one or more practices, on private and other nonfederal lands. Other components of CO include the Soil Surveys, Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting, and Plant Materials Centers. |
|
Major 20 |
None. |
|
National scope |
Available nationwide. CTA was funded at $ |
|
Leading states |
No data are available for |
|
Backlog/Interest |
Not available. |
|
Funding authority |
Discretionary. No specific authorization level. |
|
FY201 |
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
Statutory authority |
Authorized in the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act (P.L. 74-46), as amended. 16 U.S.C. §590a-g, 16 U.S.C. §590q. |
|
Authorization expires |
Permanent authorization. |
|
Program website |
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cta/ (CTA); http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/soils/home/ (soil survey); http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/ (snow survey and water supply forecasting); and http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/ (plant materials centers). |
|
Administering agency(s) |
FSA, with technical assistance by NRCS. |
|
Program description |
CRP provides annual rental payments, usually over 10 years, to producers to replace crops on highly erodible and environmentally sensitive land with long-term resource-conserving plantings. Bids to enroll land are solicited during a limited time period, then compared using an Environmental Benefits Index (EBI). Those with the highest EBI scores are accepted. This is referred to as general sign-up. Embedded in the CRP are several small and more focused subprograms and initiatives |
|
Major 20 |
|
|
National scope |
|
|
Leading states |
Leading states by total acres enrolled are TX (2. |
|
Backlog/Interest |
|
|
Funding authority |
Mandatory |
|
FY201 |
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
Statutory authority |
Authorized in §§1231-1235 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (P.L. 99-198), as amended. Amended in §§ |
|
Authorization expires |
September 30, |
|
Program website |
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/conservation-programs/conservation-reserve-program/ |
|
Administering agency(s) |
FSA, with technical assistance by NRCS. |
||
|
Program description |
This subprogram of CRP partners with states and nonprofit organizations at their request. |
||
|
Major |
|
||
|
National scope |
There are 47 CREP agreements in 34 states, including |
||
|
Leading states |
Leading states by number of acres enrolled are PA ( |
||
|
Backlog/Interest |
In May 2017, FSA announced a freeze on all continuous sign-up due to the 24 million acreage enrollment limit. Between May and September 2017, 1.185 million acres of continuous sign-up (including CREP acres) were approved for acceptance but not enrolled because of the freeze. | ||
|
Funding authority |
Unspecified acreage subset of CRP. |
||
Funding authority Mandatory and statutorily exempt from sequestration. Limited overall by the total CRP acreage enrollment cap (see "Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)") but included in the minimum enrollment targets for all continuous contracts: 8 million acres by FY2019; 8.25 million acres by FY2020; 8.5 million acres by FY2021; and 8.6 million acres by FY2022 and FY2023. No funding amount specified. |
Unspecified acreage subset of CRP. |
||
|
|
Unspecified acreage subset of CRP. |
||
|
Statutory authority |
|
||
|
Authorization expires |
September 30, |
||
|
Program website |
|
Administering agency(s) |
FSA, with technical assistance by NRCS. |
|
Program description |
This 750,000 acre subprogram of the CRP enrolls small isolated agricultural wetlands. On a single tract of land, enrollment is set at a maximum of 40 contiguous wetland acres. "Flooded farmland" has a 20-acre limit. Eligible lands include wetlands that were cropped in three of the preceding |
|
Major 20 |
|
|
National scope |
Active contracts in 22 participating states |
|
Leading states |
Leading states by acres enrolled are ND ( |
|
Backlog/Interest |
|
|
Funding authority |
Mandatory |
|
FY201 |
Unspecified acreage subset of CRP. |
|
|
Unspecified acreage subset of CRP. |
|
Statutory authority |
Authorized in Title XI of Agriculture and Related Agency appropriations, 2001 (P.L. 106-387) as §1231B of the Food Security Act of 1985 (P.L. 99-198), as amended. Amended |
|
Authorization expires |
September 30, |
|
Program website |
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/conservation-programs/farmable-wetlands/index |
|
Administering agency(s) |
FSA, with technical assistance by NRCS. |
||
|
Program description |
This subprogram of the CRP enrolls grassland—including rangeland, pastureland, and certain other lands—while maintaining the area as grazing. Contracts are for 14 and 15 years. Rental payments are limited to 75% of the contracted land's grazing value. Small livestock operations are considered in a separate ranking pool during enrollment. Expiring CRP acres have priority enrollment. Sign-up is held on a continuous basis, but enrollment is subject to a competitive offer process. |
||
|
Major 20 |
Created in the 2014 farm bill, partially from the repealed Grassland Reserve Program. | ||
|
National scope |
National scope |
||
|
Leading states |
Leading states by acres enrolled are NE ( |
||
|
Backlog/Interest |
The CRP grasslands sign-up (#200) had an acreage acceptance rate of 10% (1.0 million acres offered and 101,293 acres accepted). Applicants in all states except seven (AK, DE, ME, NV, NH, RI, and VT) offered acres. Approximately 800,000 acres of grassland sign-up had been approved for contracts beginning in FY2018, with only 420,000 acres completely enrolled as of September 2017. In May 2017, FSA announced a freeze on all continuous sign-up due to the 24 million acreage enrollment limit. Between May and September 2017, 1.185 million acres of continuous sign-up (including CRP Grassland acres) were approved for acceptance but not enrolled because of the freeze. | ||
|
Funding authority |
Mandatory, statutorily exempt from sequestration. No more than 2 million acres enrolled at any one time between FY2014 and FY2018. |
||
Funding authority Mandatory and statutorily exempt from sequestration. Overall limited by the total CRP acreage enrollment cap (see "Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)") but required to maintain a minimum enrollment of grassland contracts of 1.0 million acres in FY2019; 1.5 million acres in FY2020; and 2.0 million acres in FY2021-FY2023. Unenrolled grassland acres may not be used to enroll other types of CRP contracts. No funding amount specified. |
Unspecified acreage subset of CRP. |
||
|
|
Unspecified acreage subset of CRP. |
||
|
Statutory authority |
Authorized in subtitle A of Title II (§2001 et seq.) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (P.L. 113-79) as §1231 et seq. of the Food Security Act of 1985 (P.L. 99-198), as amended. Amended in §2201 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-334). 16 U.S.C. §3831 et seq. |
||
|
Authorization expires |
September 30, |
||
|
Program website |
https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/ |
|
Administering agency(s) |
NRCS |
|
|
Program description |
CSP provides financial and technical assistance to |
|
|
Major 20 |
Reduces the enrollment cap from 12.769 million acres annually to 10 million acres annually. Reorganizes the statutory language and refocuses the program on generating additional conservation benefits. Raises the entry bar for participants to two priority resource concerns upon entry and requires the participant to meet or exceed one additional priority resource concern by the end of the contract. Contract renewal participants must meet the threshold for two additional priority resources concerns, or exceed the threshold for two existing priority resource concerns. Removes the 10% limitation on nonindustrial private forest land and provides flexible transition options for land coming out of CRP. | |
|
National scope |
Available nationwide. The program held its first sign-up in 2009, and at the end of FY2017, more than 87.3 million acres were enrolled. Of the expiring FY2012 contracts, 57% were renewed in FY2017 for an additional five years.
|
National scope Available nationwide. In FY2018, CSP provided over $83 million in financial assistance for new enrollments, used to treat over 7.5 million acres. An additional 640,000 acres were newly enrolled with the renewal contracts. |
|
Leading states |
In |
|
|
Backlog/Interest |
In |
|
|
Funding authority |
Mandatory |
|
|
FY201 |
$1. |
|
|
|
Proposes to eliminate |
|
|
Statutory authority |
Authorized in §2301 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-246) as §§1238D-1238G of the Food Security Act of 1985 (P.L. 99-198), as amended. Amended in § |
|
|
Authorization expires |
September 30, |
|
|
Program website |
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/csp |
|
Administering agency(s) |
FSA, with technical assistance by NRCS. |
|
Program description |
ECP provides emergency funding and technical assistance to producers to rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes, floods, |
|
Major 20 |
|
|
National scope |
Available nationwide. Participation and funding varies |
|
Leading states |
Not applicable. |
|
Backlog/Interest |
Not applicable. |
|
Funding authority |
Discretionary. No specific authorization level. |
|
FY201 |
The |
|
|
$0 |
|
Statutory authority |
Authorized in §401 of the Agriculture Credit Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-334), as amended. Amended in §2403 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-334). 16 U.S.C. §§2201-2205. |
|
Authorization expires |
Permanent authorization. |
|
Program website |
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/conservation-programs/emergency-conservation/index |
|
Administering agency(s) |
FSA, with technical assistance by NRCS. |
|
Program description |
EFRP provides cost-share assistance to private forestland owners to repair and rehabilitate damage caused by a natural disaster on nonindustrial private forest land. Natural disasters include wildfires, hurricanes or excessive winds, drought, ice storms or blizzards, floods, or other resource-impacting events, as determined by USDA. |
|
Major 20 |
None. |
|
National scope |
Available nationwide. Participation and funding varies |
|
Leading states |
Not applicable. |
|
Backlog/Interest |
Not applicable. |
|
Funding authority |
Discretionary. No specific authorization level. |
|
FY201 |
$0 |
|
|
$0 |
|
Statutory authority |
Authorized in §8203 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-246) as §407 of the Agriculture Credit Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-334). 16 U.S.C. §2206. |
|
Authorization expires |
Permanent authorization. |
|
Program website |
|
Administering agency(s) |
NRCS on private lands and U.S. Forest Service on National Forest Systems lands. |
|
Program description |
EWP provides technical and financial assistance to reduce hazards to life and property in watersheds that have been damaged by natural disasters. Assistance includes disaster cleanup and recovery activities, and purchasing easements in floodplains that will benefit natural resources such as wetlands, while reducing the risk of exposure to future natural disasters. |
|
Major 20 |
|
|
National scope |
Available nationwide. Participation and funding varies |
|
Leading states |
Not applicable. |
|
Backlog/Interest |
Not applicable. |
|
Funding authority |
Discretionary. No specific authorization level. |
|
FY201 |
The |
|
|
$0 |
|
Statutory authority |
Authorized in §216 of P.L. 81-516 and §403 of the Agriculture Credit Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-334), as amended. Amended in § |
|
Authorization expires |
Permanent authorization. |
|
Program website |
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/landscape/ewpp |
|
Administering agency(s) |
NRCS |
|
Program description |
EQIP provides financial and technical assistance to producers and land owners to plan and install structural, vegetative, and land management practices on eligible lands to alleviate natural resource problems. Eligible producers enter into contracts to receive payment for implementing conservation practices. Approved activities are carried out according to an EQIP plan developed in conjunction with the producer that identifies the appropriate conservation practice(s) to address specific land resource concerns. |
|
Major 20 |
Incorporates the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) into EQIP with a 5% allocation to wildlife habitat practices; removes the minimum one-year contract length requirement; adds veteran farmer or rancher to the list of certain producers eligible for cost-share rates up to 90% and advanced payments; raises the payment limit to an aggregate of $450,000 between FY2014-FY2018 and eliminates the waiver authority for contracts of environmental significance; repeals the Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP); reauthorizes the innovative grants program (see "EQIP—Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG)"); retains the allocation of 60% of funding each year to practices related to livestock production; and reauthorizes and reduces the air quality funding carve-out from $37.5 million to $25 million annually. |
|
National scope |
Available nationwide. In |
|
Leading states |
In |
|
Backlog/Interest |
In |
|
Funding authority |
Mandatory |
|
FY201 |
$1.6 billion ( |
|
|
$1. |
|
Statutory authority |
Authorized in subtitle D of Title III (§§331-336) of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-127) as §§1240-1240G of the Food Security Act of 1985 (P.L. 99-198), as amended. Amended |
|
Authorization expires |
September 30, |
|
Program website |
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/eqip |
|
Administering agency(s) |
NRCS |
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|
Program description |
CIG is a subprogram of EQIP that awards competitive grants to state and local agencies, nongovernmental organizations, tribes, and individuals to implement innovative conservation techniques and practices. Annual requests for proposals are posted on http://www.grants.gov and include separate funding categories for national and state level competitions. Grantees must provide a one-to-one match to grant funding. Examples of eligible projects include market systems for pollution reduction, demonstrating precision agriculture, capturing nutrients through a community anaerobic digester, and establishing a tribal partnership for regional habitat conservation. |
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Major 20 |
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National scope |
Available nationwide with select states offering state competitions. In |
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Leading states |
None identified. |
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Backlog/Interest |
None identified. |
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Funding authority |
Unspecified subset of EQIP. |
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FY201 |
Unspecified subset of EQIP. |
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Unspecified subset of EQIP |
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Statutory authority |
Authorized in §2301 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-171) as §1240H of the Food Security Act of 1985 (P.L. 99-198), as amended. Amended |
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Authorization expires |
September 30, Program website Administering agency(s) NRCS Program description On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials is a subprogram of CIG, which is a subprogram of EQIP. Funding is provided to partners, who provide incentive payments and technical assistance to producers to offset the risk of adopting innovative conservation practices. Producers must meet the EQIP eligibility criteria. Partners must evaluate and report on the environmental and economic impact of adopted conservation practices. Annual requests for proposals are posted on http://www.grants.gov and include a Soil Health Demonstration Trial component. The Soil Health Demonstration Trial component focuses exclusively on soil health practices that minimize disturbance, maximize soil cover, maximize biodiversity, and maximize the presence of living roots. Partners under the Soil Health Demonstration Trial agree to follow NRCS soil health assessment protocols when evaluating practices. Major 2018 farm bill amendments Created in the 2018 farm bill. National scope Available nationwide. In FY2019, NRCS announced up to $25 million available for On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trial projects, including $10 million for Soil Health Demonstration Trials. The maximum amount for a single award was limited to $5 million. Priorities for FY2019 include irrigation management, precision agriculture, and management technologies and strategies. Applications for FY2019 closed July 15, 2019. Leading states Not Available. Backlog/Interest Not Available. Funding authority Mandatory and subject to sequestration. $25 million annually of total EQIP funding. FY2019 funding $25 million, including $10 million for the Soil Health Demonstration Trial. FY2020 Administration request $25 million of total EQIP funding. Statutory authority Authorized in §2307 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-334) as §1240H(c) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (P.L. 99-198), as amended. 16 U.S.C. §3839aa-8(c). Authorization expires September 30, 2023. Program website https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/financial/cig/?cid=nrcseprd1459039 Administering agency(s) NRCS and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Program description NRCS and APHIS coordinate the pilot through three components: (1) feral swine removal by APHIS, (2) restoration efforts supported by NRCS, and (3) assistance to producers for feral swine control provided through partnership agreements with non-federal partners. Projects can be one to three years in duration. Pilot areas are limited to states where feral swine have been identified as a threat. Cost-share assistance is limited to 75% of the cost of eradication and control measures or restoration. Total funding is split between NRCS and APHIS, with no more than 10% for administrative expenses. Major 2018 farm bill amendments Created in the 2018 farm bill. National scope Not available nationwide. Available in select project areas of AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC, and TX. In FY2019, USDA announced $33.75 million for partnership efforts in 20 project areas in 10 states. The maximum amount for a single award is limited to $1.5 million and requires a 25% match by the partner. Eligible activities under a partnership agreement may include outreach, training, equipment, and operation of feral swine training that are consistent with APHIS technical standards. Applications for FY2019 close August 19, 2019. Leading states Not Available. Backlog/Interest Not Available. Funding authority Mandatory and subject to sequestration. $75 million total for FY2019-FY2023. FY2019 funding $70 million (authorization reduced by sequestration). FY2020 Administration request $0 Statutory authority Authorized in §2408 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-334). 7 U.S.C. §8351. Authorization expires September 30, 2023. Program website https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/farmbill/?cid=NRCSEPRD1461219 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Program website |
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Administering agency(s) |
FSA |
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Program description |
Grassroots Source Water Protection Program provides funding to the National Rural Water Association for technical assistance to operate state's source water protection program. Local programs encourage the voluntary adoption of practices that prevent drinking water pollution. |
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Major 20 |
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National scope |
In September 2013, the program was expanded to all 50 states. |
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Leading states |
Annual appropriations are divided equally among all states. |
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Backlog/Interest |
None identified. |
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Funding authority |
Mandatory |
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FY201 |
Mandatory: $4.7 million (authorized $5 million is reduced by sequestration). Discretionary: $6.5 million |
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$0 |
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Statutory authority |
Authorized in §2502 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-171) as §1240O of the Food Security Act of 1985 (P.L. 99-198), as amended. Amended |
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Authorization expires |
September, 30, |
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Program website |
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Administering agency(s) |
NRCS |
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Program description |
HFRP assists landowners in restoring and enhancing forest ecosystems using 10-year agreements, 30-year contracts, 30-year easements, and permanent easements. |
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Major 20 |
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National scope |
Not available nationwide. Limited participation in select states. As of the end of |
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Leading states |
In |
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Backlog/Interest |
Not available. |
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Funding authority |
Discretionary. $12 million annually. |
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FY201 |
$0 |
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$0 |
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Statutory authority |
Authorized in Title V Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-148), as amended. Amended |
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Authorization expires |
September 30, |
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Program website |
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/easements/forests |
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Administering agency(s) |
NRCS |
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Program description |
RCPP provides financial and technical assistance for multi-state or watershed-scale projects. The program creates partnership opportunities to target and leverage federal conservation funding for specific areas and resource concerns. Project areas are defined by eligible partners and are selected through a competitive state or national competition. Partnership agreements are for five years, with a possible five-year renewal or a one-year extension. In addition to defining the project area, providing assistance, and possibly acting on behalf of the producers within the project area, partners must also provide a "significant portion" of the overall cost of the project |
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Major 20 |
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National scope |
To be eligible for an RCPP contract, a producer must be located in either a CCA or a selected partnership area, but is not required to work with the sponsoring project partner and may choose to work directly with NRCS. Partnership applications are accepted in two phases: pre-proposal and full proposal. In FY2018, 91 projects were selected totaling over $220 million in federal spending. |
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Leading states |
Following the final selection in FY2018, the three funding categories received the following (most total partners; most federal investment): state—54 projects (IL and IN—33 partners; NM––$3.4 million), CCA—19 projects (Mississippi River Basin—66 partners; Chesapeake Bay Watershed––$16.1 million total), and national—18 projects (Driftless Area Habitat for the Wild and Rare Phase 2—46 partners; Crisis to Opportunity: Sierra Nevada Tree Mortality and Partnership GRIC Water Supply Protection Program—$10 million). |
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Backlog/Interest |
In FY2018, the total amount of funding requested was three times the amount available. During the pre-proposal round, 164 proposals were received requesting $683 million with a partner match of $1 billion. |
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Funding authority |
Mandatory |
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FY201 |
$ |
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$ |
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Statutory authority |
Authorized in subtitle E of Title II (§2401) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (P.L. 113-79) as §1271 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (P.L. 99-198), as amended. Amended in §§2701-2707 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-334). 16 U.S.C. §§3871-3871f. |
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Authorization expires |
September 30, |
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Program website |
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Administering agency(s) |
NRCS |
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Program description |
The Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program encourages owners and operators of privately held farm, ranch, and forest land to voluntarily make that land available for access by the public for wildlife-dependent recreation, including hunting or fishing, under programs implemented by state or tribal governments. Competitive grants are offered to states and tribal governments for expanding existing access programs or creating new programs. Grants are reduced by 25% if opening dates for migratory bird hunting in a state are not consistent for residents and nonresidents. |
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Major 20 |
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National scope |
Available nationwide. In FY2014 and FY2015, $20 million was made available each year. In total, 21 states and one tribal government were awarded agreements. In FY2016, all formal grant agreements were complete. Additional mandatory funding authorized under the 2018 farm bill is forthcoming. |
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Leading states |
Of the FY2014 and FY2015 selected proposals, states receiving the most funding were PA ($6 million), IA ($3 million), and KS ($2.7 million). |
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Backlog/Interest |
In FY2014, 28 state wildlife agencies and two tribal governments submitted proposals requesting funding in excess of $62 million. Nine state agencies and one tribal government received $19.7 million. In FY2015, 25 state wildlife agencies submitted proposals requesting funding of over $33 million. Fifteen state agencies received $19.7 million. |
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Funding authority |
Mandatory |
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FY201 |
$ |
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$0 |
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Statutory authority |
Authorized in Title II, §2606 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-246) as §1240R of the Food Security Act of 1985 (P.L. 99-198), as amended. Amended |
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Authorization expires |
September 30, |
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Program website |
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/farmbill/?cid=stelprdb1242739 |
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Administering agency(s) |
NRCS |
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Program description |
The Water Bank Program offers 10-year, nonrenewable rental agreements to landowners to maintain wetlands in lieu of draining the land for agricultural production. No financial assistance is offered for conservation practices. Applications are ranked based on land use type and flooding impact. Payment rates are as follows: $50/acre/year for cropland, $35/acre/year for pasture and range land (grazing lands), and $20/acre/year for forestland. The program was authorized in 1970 and operated until funding was eliminated in 1994 in favor of longer-term conservation programs. After 17 years |
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Major |
None. |
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National scope |
Not available nationwide. |
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Leading states |
In |
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Backlog/Interest |
Not available. |
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Funding authority |
Discretionary. No specific authorization level. |
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FY201 |
$4 million. |
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$0 |
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Statutory authority |
Authorized in the Water Bank Act (P.L. 91-559), as amended. 16 U.S.C. §§1301-1311. |
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Authorization expires |
Permanent authorization. |
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Program website |
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/financial/?&cid=stelprdb1047790 |
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Administering agency(s) |
NRCS |
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Program description |
Also referred to as the Small Watershed Program, the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) program consists of projects built under two authorities—the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act of 1954 (P.L. 83-566) and the Flood Control Act of 1944 (P.L. 78-534). The vast majority of the projects have been built pursuant to the authority of P.L. 83-566 (referred to as P.L. 566 projects), under which smaller projects authorized by the chief of the NRCS are constructed. Larger projects must be approved by Congress. Eleven projects were specifically authorized under P.L. 78-534 (referred to as P.L. 534 projects); they are much larger and more expensive than P.L. 566 projects. Under P.L. 566 projects, NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to state and local organizations to plan and install measures to prevent erosion, sedimentation, and flood damage and to conserve, develop, and utilize land and water resources. The project costs are shared with local partners. No project may exceed 250,000 acres,* and no structure may exceed more than 12,500 acre-feet of floodwater detention capacity, or 25,000 acre-feet of total capacity. The Senate and House Agriculture Committees must approve projects that need an estimated federal contribution of more than $25 million for construction or include a storage structure with a capacity in excess of 2,500 acre-feet. If the storage structure will have a capacity in excess of 4,000 acre-feet, approval is also required from the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. *The 250,000 acre limitation applies only to activities undertaken for the primary purpose of flood prevention in FY2019. |
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Major 20 |
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National scope |
Available nationwide. There are over 2,100 active or completed P.L. 566 projects in 50 states and U.S. territories. In Leading states | |
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Leading states |
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Backlog/Interest |
Not available. |
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Funding authority |
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FY201 |
Mandatory: $47 million (authorized $50 million is reduced by sequestration). Discretionary: $150 million |
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Mandatory: $50 million (authorization to be reduced by an unknown amount of sequestration). Discretionary: $0. |
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Statutory authority |
Authorized in the Flood Control Act of 1944 (P.L. 78-534), as amended, and the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (P.L. 83-566), as amended. Amended in §2401 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-334). 33 U.S.C. §701b-1 and 16 U.S.C. §1001 et. seq. |
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Authorization expires |
Permanent authorization. |
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Program website |
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/programs/landscape/?&cid=nrcs143_008271 |
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Administering agency(s) |
NRCS |
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Program description |
The Watershed Rehabilitation Program provides technical and financial assistance for planning, design, and implementation to rehabilitate aging watershed dam projects (including upgrading or removing dams) in communities to address health and safety concerns. Only dams constructed under the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations program are eligible. Small watershed project dams have a 50-year design life. As of the end of |
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Major 20 |
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National scope |
Only available for dams built through the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations program and the Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) program. A total of |
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Leading states |
States with the largest number of dam projects funded over the life of the program ( |
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Backlog/Interest |
In FY2017, unfunded requests for federal funding totaled over $741.1 million, including 175 dam assessments. The largest total of unfunded requests was submitted in TX ($241 million), MS ($91 million), and WV ($78 million). | |
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Funding authority |
Funding authority |
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$10 million |
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$0 |
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Statutory authority |
Authorized in §313 of the Grain Standards and Warehouse Improvement Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-472) as §14 of the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, as amended. Amended |
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Authorization expires |
September 30, |
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Program website |
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/landscape/wr |
Author Contact Information
| 1. |
Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-624), Federal Agricultural Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-127), Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-171), Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-246), |
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| 2. |
For additional discussion on conservation in the farm bill, see CRS Report |
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| 3. |
The CCC is the funding mechanism for the mandatory payments that are administered by various agencies of USDA, including all of the farm commodity price and income support programs. For more information on the CCC, see CRS Report R44606, The Commodity Credit Corporation: In Brief. |
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| 4. |
For more information on ARS projects, see http://www.ars.usda.gov/Research/Research.htm; ERS projects, see http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/natural-resources-environment/conservation-programs.aspx; NIFA programs, see http://www.nifa.usda.gov/nea/nre/nre.cfm; and FS projects, see http://www.fs.fed.us/projects/. |
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| 5 |
Additional information on emergency land rehabilitation programs may be found in CRS Report R42854, Emergency Assistance for Agricultural Land Rehabilitation. |
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Compliance refers to a series of farm bill provisions that require a minimum level of conservation on environmentally sensitive land in exchange for access to other USDA program benefits. Compliance provisions are not discussed in this report. Additional analysis may be found in CRS Report R42459, Conservation Compliance and U.S. Farm Policy. |
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| 7. | 6.
Additional information on emergency land rehabilitation programs may be found in CRS Report R42854, Emergency Assistance for Agricultural Land Rehabilitation. |
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| 8. |
For additional information on the FY2018 and FY2019 conservation appropriation, see CRS Report |
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| 9. |
For additional information on sequestration and the budget process, see CRS Report R42972, Sequestration as a Budget Enforcement Process: Frequently Asked Questions. |
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| 10. |
The Conservation Reserve Program is statutorily exempt from sequestration (2 U.S.C. 905 (g)(1)(A)). Sequestration reductions | ||
| 11. |
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