OPPORTUNITY:
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) delivers conservation solutions so agricultural producers can protect natural resources and feed a growing world. NRCS provides leadership and funding to ensure that all programs and services are made accessible to all customers, fairly and equitably, with emphasis on reaching historically underserved farmers and ranchers and Native American tribal governments and organizations. NRCS is committed to advancing equity, justice, and equal opportunity to ensure equitable access to programs and services available on private agricultural and forest lands.
DESCRIPTION:
NRCS is announcing the availability of WMBP grant funds for the development and establishment of mitigation banks and banking opportunities solely for agricultural producers with wetlands subject to the wetland conservation compliance provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985 (as amended). Applications will be accepted from eligible entities in any of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Caribbean (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), and the Pacific Islands (Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). Priority will be given to banks in states with significant numbers of individual wetlands, wetland acres, and conservation compliance requests. Based on NRCS data, these states are Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana, South Dakota, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Ohio.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS:
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- State governments
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- City or township governments
- Private institutions of higher education
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses
- County governments
- Special district governments
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
MATCHING FUNDS:
20% of total project costs (includes Federal and non-Federal)
FUNDING AVAILABLE AND APPLICATION WINDOW:
- FUNDING AVAILABILITY: $7 million
- AWARD CEILING: $1 million
- AWARD Floor: $100,000
- APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 02, 2024
