AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROGRAM
US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA), USDA NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SEVICE (NRCS)
Program Purpose
Assistance to entities with established conservation easement programs to protect productive agricultural lands
Eligibility Description
The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program helps protect wetlands (ACEP WRE) and agricultural lands (ACEP ALE), via voluntary conservation easement acquisition on wetlands (via ACEP WRE) or via assistance to eligible entities in acquiring voluntary conservation easements on agricultural lands (via ACEP ALE).
Special Conditions
ACEP WRE: Individuals, businesses, NGO’s and tribal governments with eligible wetland properties.
ACEP ALE: Eligible entities with established conservation easement programs.
ACEP WREP: State and Local Government, NGO’s and tribal governments who provide financial and technical assistance to enroll wetlands into easements and conduct wetland restoration.
Use of Funds
Contact NRCS for additional information.
Funding Availability
Funding Potential for Award–Determined annually.
Range of Awards–ACEP WRE: capped at the lesser of 90% of diminution attributable to conservation easement, $5,000/acre (for a perpetual easement) or land owner offer.
ACEP WREP: Financial Assistance agreements require that partners provide 25% match (cash and/or in-kind) of restoration cost; Technical Assistance agreements require that partners must provide 50% match (cash and/or in-kind) to facilitate easement enrollment and wetland restoration.
ACEP ALE: generally limited to 50% of diminution attributable to easement, with remaining funds to be provided by eligible entity.
Funding Cycle – Duration –To be determined.
Source of Funds–This is a federally funded program managed by the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
Application Process
Deadline–Determined each year, usually late winter to early spring
How to Apply–Visit the New Mexico NRCS website http://www.nm.nrcs.usda.gov/programs or contact a local NRCS field office.
Selection Criteria & Decision Authority–Applications are evaluated and ranked at the State level. Selections are based on the ranking score and fund availability.
Authorization
Agricultural Act of 2014
Related Programs
Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Conservation Stewardship Program