Introduction
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers a number of agricultural conservation programs that assist private landowners with natural resource concerns. The number and funding levels for agricultural conservation programs have steadily increased over the past 60 years. Early conservation efforts undertaken by Congress 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—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 in 1990, 1996, 2002, 2008, 2014, and 20181 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.
Overview
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.
Although programs in this report are listed alphabetically, agricultural conservation programs can be grouped into the following categories based on similarities: working lands, 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) 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
Sequestration 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 mandatory conservation programs were subject to sequestration in FY2014 through FY2019.10 Even with sequestration and appropriations act reductions, total annual mandatory budget authority for conservation programs has grown from a total of $3.9 billion in FY2008 to over $6.7 billion in FY2019.11
 |
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Source: CRS. |
2018 Farm Bill
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.
Conservation Programs
The tabular presentation that follows provides basic information covering each of the USDA agricultural conservation programs, including
- administering agency or agencies within USDA;
- brief program description;
- summary of major amendments to the program in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-334), commonly referred to as the 2018 farm bill;
- national scope and availability, including participation levels and acres enrolled;
- states with the highest level of funds obligated or acres enrolled;
- volume of application backlog or public interest in each program;
- authorized funding levels, whether mandatory spending or discretionary appropriations, and any funding restrictions;
- FY2019 funding level in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2019 (P.L. 116-6), or, if applicable, the authorized level in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (sequestration, transfers, and carryover are included and noted where known);
- FY2020 funding level requested by the Administration (sequestration and carryover is not included unless noted);
- statutory authority, recent amendments, and U.S. Code reference;
- expiration date of program authority unless permanently authorized; and
- program's website link.
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.
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)
|
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 agreements to obligate ACEP funds. The entities acquire easements and hold, monitor, manage, and enforce the easements. The federal share of easement acquisition cannot exceed 50% of the appraised fair market value or 75% if it is determined to be a grassland of special environmental significance. 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 2018 farm bill amendments |
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 |
Available nationwide. Easements are considered enrolled when the landowner and NRCS enter into the agreement authorizing NRCS to proceed with the purchase of the easement. The easement is closed when the purchase is complete and formally recorded. In FY2018, $245 million in ACEP funding was used to enroll an estimated total of 117,700 acres of farmland, grassland, and wetlands through 353 new ACEP enrollments, as well as closing over 440 easements on 141,000 acres. This includes ALE (easements)––137 on 36,842 acres; ALE (grassland easements)––21 on 46,266 acres; WRE (permanent easements)––179 on 32,522 acres; WRE (30-year easements)––15 on 1,849 acres; and WRE (30-year contracts, Tribes)—1 on 222 acres. |
|
Leading states |
The highest levels of funding obligated in FY2018 were in FL ($24.7 million), LA ($22.0 million), and MS ($21.0 million). |
|
Backlog/Interest |
Agricultural Land Easements (ALE)—In FY2018, ALE applications were received for over 133,246 acres, including applications for grasslands of special environmental significance. Approximately 62% of applications were enrolled. Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE)—In FY2018, WRE applications were received for over 235,530 acres. Approximately 13% of applications were funded. |
|
Funding authority |
Mandatory and subject to sequestration. $450 million annually for FY2019-FY2023. |
|
FY2019 funding est. |
$402 million (authorized $450 million is reduced by sequestration and by a transfer to the Farm Production and Conservation Business Center). |
|
FY2020 Administration request |
$450 million (authorization to be reduced by an unknown amount of sequestration). Requests an annual funding reduction of $40 million beginning in FY2020. |
|
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, 2023. |
|
Program website |
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/easements/acep/ |
Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA)
|
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 2018 farm bill amendments |
None. |
|
National scope |
Not available nationwide. Eligible states are CT, DE, HI, ME, MD, MA, NV, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, UT, VT, WV, and WY. In FY2018, over $3.4 million in AMA funding (for conservation only) was used to enroll 168 AMA contracts covering over 4,200 acres within eligible states. |
|
Leading states |
States with the most funds obligated (for conservation only) in FY2018 were ME ($915,000), WV ($611,000), and MD ($605,000). |
|
Backlog/Interest |
Not available. |
|
Funding authority |
Mandatory and subject to sequestration. Permanently authorized at $10 million for each fiscal year. Funding is split by law among the three USDA agencies: 50% to NRCS, 10% to AMS, and 40% to RMA. |
|
FY2019 funding |
$9.3 million, including $4.7 million for conservation (authorized $10 million reduced by sequestration). |
|
FY2020 Administration request |
$10 million, including $5 million for conservation (authorization to be reduced by an unknown amount of sequestration). |
|
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). |
Conservation Operations (CO)—Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA)
|
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 2018 farm bill amendments |
None. |
|
National scope |
Available nationwide. CTA was funded at $768.8 million and 4,219 staff years for FY2018. Total CO obligations for FY2018 was $836.5 million and 4,709 staff years. Staff year refers to a full-time position funded for one year. |
|
Leading states |
No data are available for CTA alone in FY2018, but the three leading states for total CO funding were TX ($33.0 million), MO ($24.7 million), and IA ($20.7 million). |
|
Backlog/Interest |
Not available. |
|
Funding authority |
Discretionary. No specific authorization level. |
|
FY2019 funding |
$725.9 million for CTA out of $819.5 million appropriated for all CO. |
|
FY2020 Administration request |
$661.2 million for CTA out of $755.0 million for all CO. |
|
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). |
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
|
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 that bypass the general bidding process and address specific resource topics. All lands that qualify for these subprograms and initiatives are automatically accepted and enrolled on a continuous basis. This is referred to as continuous sign-up. |
|
Major 2018 farm bill amendments |
CRP was reauthorized and amended, including an incremental increase in its enrollment ceiling from 24 million acres in FY2019 to 27 million acres by FY2023. This increase in enrollment was partly offset by reducing rental rates for general contracts to 85% of the county average rental rate and to 90% of the county average rental rate for continuous contracts. Cost-share payments were limited to the actual cost of establishing the approved practices, including not more than 50% for seed mix costs. A number of other amendments were included that would further expand grazing and commercial uses on CRP acres as well as transition options for new and limited resource producers. Existing subprograms were codified and new pilot programs were created. |
|
National scope |
As of June 2019, there were 603,214 active contracts on 339,751 farms with 22.3 million acres enrolled. Of this total, 13.5 million acres are enrolled under general sign-up, 941,465 acres under Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program sign-up (CREP), 6.6 million acres under non-CREP sign-up, 395,769 acres under Farmable Wetland sign-up, and 923,976 acres under grasslands sign-up. |
|
Leading states |
Leading states by total acres enrolled are TX (2.8 million), KS (1.9 million), and CO (1.8 million). Leading states by total number of contracts are IA (106,984), IL (76,415), and MN (55,248). |
|
Backlog/Interest |
The most recent CRP general sign-up was held in 2016 (#49). During sign-up #49, interest was high, with a 22% acreage offer acceptance rate (1.9 million acres offered and 407,416 acres accepted). No general sign-up is expected in FY2019, however a one-year extension is being offered for contracts that expire September 30, 2019. This reduces the number of estimated acres expected to expire in FY2019 (1.35 million), but increases the estimated number of acres expected to expire in FY2020 (4.62 million). |
|
Funding authority |
Mandatory and statutorily exempt from sequestration. At any one time, CRP can enroll no more than: 24 million acres in FY2019; 24.5 million acres in FY2020; 25 million acres in FY2021; 25.5 million acres in FY2022; and 27 million acres in FY2023. No funding amount specified. |
|
FY2019 est. funding |
$2.1 billion (based on the estimated number of acres that will be enrolled, including technical assistance). |
|
FY2020 est. Administration request |
$2.1 billion (based on the estimated number of acres that will be enrolled, including technical assistance). |
|
Statutory authority |
Authorized in §§1231-1235 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (P.L. 99-198), as amended. Amended in §§2201-2209 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-334). 16 U.S.C. §§3831-3835. |
|
Authorization expires |
September 30, 2023. |
|
Program website |
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/conservation-programs/conservation-reserve-program/ |
CRP—Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
|
Administering agency(s) |
FSA, with technical assistance by NRCS. |
|
Program description |
This subprogram of CRP partners with states and nonprofit organizations at their request. Partners propose areas, such as a watershed, where environmental or resource concerns are more concentrated and can be addressed by enrolling eligible acres into CRP. Partners contribute a portion of the project funding to allow for larger payments, in order to encourage greater participation. Average rental payments are higher than for acreage under the general CRP sign-up process. Sign-up is held on a continuous basis. |
|
Major 2018 farm bill amendments |
Codified CREP as a subprogram of CRP similar to the original version of CREP that was in effect at the time of enactment. Existing CREP agreements were allowed to remain in force but may be modified if mutually agreed upon. Agreements with partners were formalized, including matching fund contributions and sources. Additional requirements for select cost-share payments, incentive payments, and maintenance payments were also included. Specific requirements were included related to grazing, forested riparian buffers, and drought and water conservation agreements. |
|
National scope |
There are 47 CREP agreements in 34 states, including 56,596 contracts on 38,314 farms, enrolling a total of 941,465 acres, as of June 2019. |
|
Leading states |
Leading states by number of acres enrolled are PA (126,247), OH (121,155), and SD (79,484). States leading in number of contracts are OH (15,689), PA (7,692), and MD (4,391). |
|
Backlog/Interest |
Authority for CRP, including CREP, lapsed with the expiration of the 2014 farm bill (P.L. 113-79) at the end of FY2018. Following enactment of the 2018 farm bill, continuous sign-up, including CREP, remained suspended until enrollment re-opened June 3, 2019. No announcement has been made for new or modified CREP agreements. |
|
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. |
|
FY2019 funding |
Unspecified acreage subset of CRP. |
|
FY2020 Administration request |
Unspecified acreage subset of CRP. |
|
Statutory authority |
Authorized in §2202 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-334) as §1231A of the Food Security Act of 1985 (P.L. 99-198), as amended. 16 U.S.C. §3831a. |
|
Authorization expires |
September 30, 2023. |
|
Program website |
CRP—Farmable Wetland Program
|
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 ten years (and include buffers sufficient to protect them), on which the hydrology will be restored and a vegetative cover established. Sign-up is held on a continuous basis. |
|
Major 2018 farm bill amendments |
Reauthorized the program through FY2023. |
|
National scope |
Active contracts in 22 participating states: AL, AR, CO, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NC, ND, OH, OK, SD, WA, and WI. As of June 2019, there were 15,165 contracts on 11,651 farms for a total of 395,769 enrolled acres. |
|
Leading states |
Leading states by acres enrolled are ND (135,562), SD (100,248), and IA (92,478). The largest number of contracts are in IA (4,970), followed by SD (4,067) and ND (2,893). |
|
Backlog/Interest |
Authority for CRP, including the Farmable Wetland Program, lapsed with the expiration of the 2014 farm bill (P.L. 113-79) at the end of FY2018. Following enactment of the 2018 farm bill, continuous sign-up remained suspended until May 15, 2019, when USDA announced the reopening of select continuous sign-ups, including the Farmable Wetland Program. |
|
Funding authority |
Mandatory and statutorily exempt from sequestration. No more than 750,000 acres may be enrolled at any one time and no more than 100,000 acres in any state (may be increased to 200,000 acres after agency review). |
|
FY2019 funding |
Unspecified acreage subset of CRP. |
|
FY2020 Administration request |
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 in §2203 of the Agriculture Improvement Act 2018 (P.L. 115-334). 16 U.S.C. §3831b. |
|
Authorization expires |
September 30, 2023. |
|
Program website |
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/conservation-programs/farmable-wetlands/index |
CRP—Grasslands
|
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 2018 farm bill amendments |
Reauthorized and increased the enrollment limit to not less than 2 million acres by FY2021. Prioritized enrollment of expiring CRP land, land at risk of development, or land of ecological significance. |
|
National scope |
Active contracts exist in all but 10 states—AK, CT, DE, HI, ME, MA, NV, NH, RI, VT. As of June 2019, there were 3,342 active contracts on 2,082 farms with 923,976 acres enrolled. |
|
Leading states |
Leading states by acres enrolled are NE (335,877), SD (135,974), and NM (94,684). The largest number of contracts are in NE (993), followed by SD (501) and MT (188). |
|
Backlog/Interest |
Authority for CRP, including grassland contracts, lapsed with the expiration of the 2014 farm bill (P.L. 113-79) at the end of FY2018. Following enactment of the 2018 farm bill, grasslands sign-up remains suspended. |
|
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. |
|
FY2019 funding |
Unspecified acreage subset of CRP. |
|
FY2020 Administration request |
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, 2023. |
|
Program website |
https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/conservation-programs/crp-grasslands/index |
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
|
Administering agency(s) |
NRCS |
|
Program description |
CSP provides financial and technical assistance to producers to maintain and improve existing conservation systems and to adopt additional conservation activities in a comprehensive manner on a producer's entire operation. CSP contracts must meet or exceed a stewardship threshold for at least two priority resource concerns at the time of application and meet or exceed at least one additional priority resource concern by the end of the contract. Contracts are for five years in length with the option of a competitive renewal. CSP provides two possible payments: (1) an annual payment for installing new conservation activities and maintaining existing activities and (2) a supplemental payment for adopting a resource-conserving crop rotation, advanced grazing management, and comprehensive conservation plan development. Enrollment is offered through a continuous sign-up and applications are accepted year-round. |
|
Major 2018 farm bill amendments |
Reauthorized the program but amended how the program limits future enrollment. CSP is shifted from a program limited by acres (10 million acres annually under prior law; approximately $1.4 billion in FY2018) to one limited by total funding ($700 million in FY2019 in mandatory funding, increasing to $1 billion in FY2023). CSP's ranking criteria was amended to focus on an application's actual and expected increase of conservation benefits and to add a cost competitive selection criteria for similar applications. Additionally, payments for adopting cover crops, grazing management, and comprehensive conservation plan development were amended to include higher and more comprehensive payment options. |
|
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 FY2018, NE had the most total acres enrolled (711,509), followed by MS (589,414) and ND (530,878). The most funding obligated for FY2018 enrollment was in MS ($16.3 million), SD ($5.7 million), and NE ($5.5 million). Highest total funding obligated for all CSP contracts in FY2018 was in SD ($94.6 million), AR ($83.6 million), and MN ($80.3 million). |
|
Backlog/Interest |
In FY2018, CSP renewed 37% of expiring 2013 contracts for another five-year term. Changes in operations resulted in the additional enrollment of 640,000 acres. States with the highest number of acres renewed in FY2018 were NE (684,182), SD (634,108), and AR (450,857). States with the most financial assistance for renewals were AR ($9.0 million), SD ($5.5 million), and NE ($4.1 million). |
|
Funding authority |
Mandatory and subject to sequestration. FY2019—$700 million; FY2020—$725 million; FY2021—$750 million; FY2022—$800 million; and FY2023—$1 billion. Funding for CSP contracts enrolled prior to the 2018 farm bill is provided through mandatory sources using such sums as necessary. |
|
FY2019 est. funding |
$1.5 billion total, including $656.6 million for contracts enrolled prior to the 2018 farm bill and $838.3 million for contracts enrolled under the 2018 farm bill (authorization reduced by sequestration and a transfer to Farm Production and Conservation Business Center). |
|
FY2020 Administration request |
Proposes to eliminate the Conservation Stewardship Program. |
|
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 §§2301 and 2308 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-334). 16 U.S.C. §§3839aa-21-3839aa-25. |
|
Authorization expires |
September 30, 2023. |
|
Program website |
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/csp |
Emergency Conservation Program (ECP)
|
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, droughts, and wildfires) through activities such as removing debris, restoring fences and conservation structures, and implementing emergency water conservation measures in response to severe droughts. |
|
Major 2018 farm bill amendments |
Added a new provision allowing producers the option of accepting a reduced payment for repairing or replacing fence rather than receiving a higher payment following the completion and inspection of the practice. Advanced payments for fence cannot exceed 25% of the total payment (based on cost) and must be expended after 60 days or be returned. Added a payment limitation of $500,000 per producer. |
|
National scope |
Available nationwide. Participation and funding varies from year to year. |
|
Leading states |
Not applicable. |
|
Backlog/Interest |
Not applicable. |
|
Funding authority |
Discretionary. No specific authorization level. |
|
FY2019 funding to date |
The FY2019 supplemental appropriation (P.L. 116-20) provided $558 million to remain available until expended for necessary expenses related to Hurricanes Michael and Florence and wildfires occurring in calendar year 2018, tornadoes and floods occurring in calendar year 2019, and other natural disasters. |
|
FY2020 Administration request |
$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 |
Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP)
|
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 2018 farm bill amendments |
None. |
|
National scope |
Available nationwide. Participation and funding varies from year to year. |
|
Leading states |
Not applicable. |
|
Backlog/Interest |
Not applicable. |
|
Funding authority |
Discretionary. No specific authorization level. |
|
FY2019 funding to date |
The FY2019 supplemental appropriation (P.L. 116-20) provided $480 million to remain available until expended for necessary expenses related to Hurricanes Michael and Florence and wildfires occurring in calendar year 2018, tornadoes and floods occurring in calendar year 2019, and other natural disasters. |
|
FY2020 Administration request |
$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 |
Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP)
|
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 2018 farm bill amendments |
Amended funding authority to include a set-aside of 25% of all available funding to repair and replace fencing. |
|
National scope |
Available nationwide. Participation and funding varies from year to year. |
|
Leading states |
Not applicable. |
|
Backlog/Interest |
Not applicable. |
|
Funding authority |
Discretionary. No specific authorization level. |
|
FY2019 funding to date |
The FY2019 supplemental appropriation (P.L. 116-20) provided $435 million to remain available until expended for necessary expenses related to Hurricanes Michael and Florence and wildfires occurring in calendar year 2018, tornadoes and floods occurring in calendar year 2019, and other natural disasters. |
|
FY2020 Administration request |
$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 §2403 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-334). 16 U.S.C. §2203; and 33 U.S.C. §701b-1. |
|
Authorization expires |
Permanent authorization. |
|
Program website |
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/landscape/ewpp |
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
|
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. Fifty percent of the funds are targeted to conservation practices benefiting livestock and 10 percent are targeted to practices benefiting wildlife. |
|
Major 2018 farm bill amendments |
Reauthorized the program and made a number of amendments focused on practices related water quality and quantity, soil health improvement, and wildlife habitat improvement. The allocation of funding for livestock and wildlife was amended by increasing wildlife allocations from 5% to 10% and reducing livestock allocations from 60% to 50%. Payment limits for conservation practices related to organic production were increased to an aggregate of $120,000 between FY2019 and FY2023. Water conservation system payments were expanded to include irrigation and drainage entities with limitations. A new Conservation Incentive Contract was established to provide annual payments based on the adoption, installation, management, and maintenance of conservation practices that address priority resource concerns in select geographic regions. Payment limits or a specific percentage of EQIP funds to be used for incentive contracts was not included. Conservation Innovation Grants were reauthorized and expanded to include community colleges, on-farm innovation, and soil health trials (see "EQIP—Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG)" and "EQIP, CIG—On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials"). |
|
National scope |
Available nationwide. In FY2018, EQIP obligated over $1.3 billion across 42,887 contracts covering 13 million acres. |
|
Leading states |
In FY2018, the top three states by active and completed contracts were TX (5,106), MS (3,737), and CA (2,013). Obligated funding was highest in TX ($173 million), CA ($120 million), and MS ($76 million). |
|
Backlog/Interest |
In FY2018, 42,887 applications were funded (45.7%) of the 93,778 applications received. 14,840 applications were determined to be valid, but unfunded. The total estimated cost of these unfunded valid applications was $206 million. The highest numbers of unfunded applications were submitted in MS (4,751), LA (1,187), and WI (1,109). |
|
Funding authority |
Mandatory and subject to sequestration. FY2019—$1.75 billion, FY2020—$1.75 billion, FY2021—$1.8 billion, FY2022—$1.85 billion, and FY2023—$2.025 billion. |
|
FY2019 funding est. |
$1.6 billion (authorized $1.75 billion reduced by sequestration and a transfer to the Farm Production and Conservation Business Center). |
|
FY2020 Administration request |
$1.75 billion (authorization to be reduced by an unknown amount of sequestration). |
|
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 in §§2302-2306 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-334). 16 U.S.C. §§3839aa-3839aa-7. |
|
Authorization expires |
September 30, 2023. |
|
Program website |
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/eqip |
EQIP—Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG)
|
Administering agency(s) |
NRCS |
|
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. |
|
Major 2018 farm bill amendments |
Community colleges were added to the list of eligible EQIP producers that may be included in a project. The list of eligible projects was expanded to include urban agriculture and edge-of-field monitoring. The air quality funding carve-out was reauthorized and expanded from $25 million to $37 million annually. Up to $25 million annually of EQIP funds for FY2019-FY2023 are required be used for an on-farm conservation innovation trial to test new or innovative conservation approaches either directly with producers or with eligible entities. A soil health demonstration trial is required to be carried out under the on-farm conservation trial that provides financial assistance for soil health and carbon-related practices ("EQIP, CIG—On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials"). |
|
National scope |
Available nationwide with select states offering state competitions. In FY2019, CIG announced a total of $12.5 million available for projects. Priorities for FY2019 include increasing conservation adoption, water quantity, pollinator habitat, and urban agriculture. CIG funding since 2004, when the program began, totals nearly $300 million though FY2019 and has funded over 700 projects. Applications for FY2019 funding closed May 30, 2019. |
|
Leading states |
None identified. |
|
Backlog/Interest |
None identified. |
|
Funding authority |
Unspecified subset of EQIP. |
|
FY2019 funding |
Unspecified subset of EQIP. |
|
FY2020 Administration request |
Unspecified subset of EQIP. |
|
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 in §2308 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-334). 16 U.S.C. §3839aa-8. |
|
Authorization expires |
September 30, 2023. |
|
Program website |
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/cig |
EQIP, CIG—On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials
|
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 |
Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program
|
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 |
Grassroots Source Water Protection Program
|
Administering agency(s) |
FSA |
|
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. |
|
Major 2018 farm bill amendments |
Reauthorized discretionary funding authority and authorized $5 million in mandatory funding to remain available until expended. |
|
National scope |
In September 2013, the program was expanded to all 50 states. |
|
Leading states |
Annual appropriations are divided equally among all states. |
|
Backlog/Interest |
None identified. |
|
Funding authority |
Mandatory and subject to sequestration: FY2019—$5 million (to remain available until expended). Discretionary: $20 million annually. |
|
FY2019 funding |
Mandatory: $4.7 million (authorized $5 million is reduced by sequestration). Discretionary: $6.5 million. |
|
FY2020 Administration request |
$0 |
|
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 in §2405 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-334). 16 U.S.C. §3839bb-2 |
|
Authorization expires |
September, 30, 2023. |
|
Program website |
https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/conservation-programs/source-water-protection/index |
Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP)
|
Administering agency(s) |
NRCS |
|
Program description |
HFRP assists landowners in restoring and enhancing forest ecosystems using 10-year agreements, 30-year contracts, 30-year easements, and permanent easements. |
|
Major 2018 farm bill amendments |
HFRP is reauthorized through FY2023, subject to appropriations. Expanded the purposes, eligibility requirements, and enrollment priorities of the program to include species recovery and habitat conservation considerations. Authorized federally recognized Indian tribes to sell permanent easements on lands they own in fee simple. Specified that restoration plans may include a variety of land management practices if necessary to achieve habitat restoration objectives. |
|
National scope |
Not available nationwide. Limited participation in select states. As of the end of FY2018, 104 agreements covering 676,131 acres have been enrolled in the program. |
|
Leading states |
In FY2018, Oklahoma ($47,000) was the only state to receive funding. |
|
Backlog/Interest |
Not available. |
|
Funding authority |
Discretionary. $12 million annually. |
|
FY2019 funding |
$0 |
|
FY2020 Administration request |
$0 |
|
Statutory authority |
Authorized in Title V Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-148), as amended. Amended in §8407 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-334). 16 U.S.C. §§6571-6578. |
|
Authorization expires |
September 30, 2023. |
|
Program website |
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/easements/forests |
Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)
|
Administering agency(s) |
NRCS |
|
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, which can be provided through direct funding, in-kind, or a combination thereof. Half of the available funding is directed to "critical conservation areas" (CCA), which include the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, Great Lakes Region, Mississippi River Basin, Colorado River Basin, Longleaf Pine Range, Columbia River Basin, Prairie Grasslands Region, and California Bay Delta. The remaining one-half of the funding is provided to state or multistate projects. |
|
Major 2018 farm bill amendments |
Reauthorized and amended the program by shifting away from enrolling land through existing conservation programs to a stand-alone program with its own contracts. Expanded the scope of eligible activities and granted more flexibility to partners. Funding was increased from $100 million annually to $300 million annually for FY2019-FY2023. |
|
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. |
|
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). |
|
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. |
|
Funding authority |
Mandatory and subject to sequestration. $300 million annually for FY2019-FY2023. |
|
FY2019 funding |
$281 million (authorized $300 million is reduced by sequestration). |
|
FY2020 Administration request |
$300 million (authorization to be reduced by an unknown amount of sequestration). |
|
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. |
|
Authorization expires |
September 30, 2023. |
|
Program website |
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/rcpp/ |
Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program
|
Administering agency(s) |
NRCS |
|
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. |
|
Major 2018 farm bill amendments |
Priority for funding under the program is amended to include wildlife habitat improvement efforts on CREP acres and wetland reserve easements under ACEP. Reauthorized $50 million in mandatory funding for FY2019-FY2023. Added a $3 million set-aside to encourage public access on land covered by wetland reserve easements under ACEP. |
|
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. |
|
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). |
|
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. |
|
Funding authority |
Mandatory and subject to sequestration. $50 million total for FY2019-FY2023. |
|
FY2019 funding |
$47 million (authorized $50 million is reduced by sequestration). |
|
FY2020 Administration request |
$0 |
|
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 in §2406 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-334). 16 U.S.C. §3839bb-5. |
|
Authorization expires |
September 30, 2023. |
|
Program website |
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/farmbill/?cid=stelprdb1242739 |
Water Bank Program
|
Administering agency(s) |
NRCS |
|
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 without funding, the program was appropriated $7.5 million in FY2012. These funds were obligated exclusively for agreements in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota and were focused on flood reduction efforts. |
|
Major 2018 farm bill amendments |
None. |
|
National scope |
Not available nationwide. Only landowners in MN, ND, and SD are eligible. In FY2018, $4.0 million was obligated to 53 agreements covering 10,315 acres. |
|
Leading states |
In FY2018, eligible states receiving the most funding were ND ($3.5 million), MN ($577,000), and SD ($195,000). |
|
Backlog/Interest |
Not available. |
|
Funding authority |
Discretionary. No specific authorization level. |
|
FY2019 funding |
$4 million. |
|
FY2020 Administration request |
$0 |
|
Statutory authority |
Authorized in the Water Bank Act (P.L. 91-559), as amended. 16 U.S.C. §§1301-1311. |
|
Authorization expires |
Permanent authorization. |
|
Program website |
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/financial/?&cid=stelprdb1047790 |
Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations
|
Administering agency(s) |
NRCS |
|
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. |
|
Major 2018 farm bill amendments |
Waived the watershed planning requirements when considered unnecessary or duplicative. Added a new section permanently authorizing $50 million annually in mandatory funding beginning in FY2019. |
|
National scope |
Available nationwide. There are over 2,100 active or completed P.L. 566 projects in 50 states and U.S. territories. In FY2018, funding was provided to 23 new projects, 19 authorized but unfunded projects, and 5 remedial projects in 16 states. |
|
Leading states |
States obligating the most funding in FY2018 were FL ($96.7 million), MO ($42.1 million), and MS ($36.2 million). |
|
Backlog/Interest |
Not available. |
|
Funding authority |
Mandatory and subject to sequestration: $50 million annually. Discretionary: no specific authorization level. |
|
FY2019 funding |
Mandatory: $47 million (authorized $50 million is reduced by sequestration). Discretionary: $150 million, plus $5.6 million in congressionally directed funds from Conservation Operations. |
|
FY2020 Administration request |
Mandatory: $50 million (authorization to be reduced by an unknown amount of sequestration). Discretionary: $0. |
|
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. |
|
Authorization expires |
Permanent authorization. |
|
Program website |
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/programs/landscape/?&cid=nrcs143_008271 |
Watershed Rehabilitation Program
|
Administering agency(s) |
NRCS |
|
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 2018, 6,245 of these dams have reached or exceeded that time span. By the end of 2019, this number is expected to rise to 6,470. |
|
Major 2018 farm bill amendments |
Reauthorized discretionary funding authority. |
|
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 235 rehabilitation projects have been authorized in 31 states between FY2000 and FY2018. Of these, a total of 150 projects are complete, and 85 projects are in progress (either in planning, design, or construction phase). |
|
Leading states |
States with the largest number of dam projects funded over the life of the program (FY2000-FY2018) are OK (53), TX (36), UT (22), and MS (22). States receiving the most funds in FY2018 were TX ($22.5 million), OK ($15.2 million), and MA ($4.9 million). |
|
Backlog/Interest |
Not available. |
|
Funding authority |
Discretionary: $85 million annually for FY2008-FY2023. |
|
FY2019 funding |
$10 million. |
|
FY2020 Administration request |
$0 |
|
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 in §2401 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-334). 16 U.S.C. §1012. |
|
Authorization expires |
September 30, 2023. |
|
Program website |
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/landscape/wr |