{"id":21729,"date":"2020-08-12T08:25:08","date_gmt":"2020-08-12T15:25:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/plantingseedsblog.cdfa.ca.gov\/wordpress\/?p=21729"},"modified":"2020-08-12T08:25:08","modified_gmt":"2020-08-12T15:25:08","slug":"usda-nrcs-to-make-up-to-360-million-available-for-conservation-projects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/plantingseedsblog.cdfa.ca.gov\/wordpress\/index.php\/2020\/08\/12\/usda-nrcs-to-make-up-to-360-million-available-for-conservation-projects\/","title":{"rendered":"USDA NRCS to make up-to $360 million available for conservation projects"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From a USDA news release<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

USDA\u2019s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) invited potential conservation partners to submit project applications for federal funding through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). NRCS will award up to $360 million dollars to locally driven, public-private partnerships that improve the nation\u2019s water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRCPP brings an expanded approach to investing in natural resource conservation that empowers local communities to work with multiple partners and agricultural producers to design solutions that work best for them,\u201d said NRCS Chief Matthew Lohr. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Partners may request between $250,000 and $10 million in RCPP funding through this funding announcement. Partners are expected to offer value-added contributions to amplify the impact of RCPP funding in an amount equal or greater to the NRCS investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have incredible conservation partners and agricultural producers,\u201d said Carlos Suarez, NRCS State Conservationist in California. \u201cLooking forward to continuing our support of implementing conservation activities on private lands,\u201d he continued. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eligible lead partners are encouraged to apply. Funding is open to private industry, non-government organizations, Indian tribes, state and local governments, water districts and universities, among others. The full list of eligible entities is available in the RCPP funding announcement.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

First authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, RCPP has combined nearly$1 billion in NRCS investments with close to $2 billion in non-NRCS dollars to implement conservation practices across the nation. There are 336 active RCPP projects that have engaged more than 2,000 partners. Successful RCPP projects provide innovative conservation solutions, leverage partner contributions and offer impactful and measurable outcomes. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NRCS requested public comment on the RCPP Critical Conservation Areas<\/a> and their associated priority resource concerns as part of a review allowed by the Farm Bill once every five years. This funding announcement introduces CCA changes that resulted from the review: <\/p>\n\n\n\n