Chesapeake Bay Watershed Program

 

The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Program (CBWP) helps agricultural producers improve water quality and quantity, and restore, enhance, and preserve soil, air, and related resources in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed through the implementation of conservation practices. These conservation practices reduce soil erosion and nutrient levels in ground and surface water; improve, restore, and enhance wildlife habitat; and help address air quality and related natural resource concerns. CBWP encompasses all tributaries, backwaters, and side channels, including their watersheds, draining into the Chesapeake Bay.

Deleted 03/27/2024 (Archived.) 10.926 Natural Resources Conservation Service, Department of Agriculture C - Direct Payments For Specified Use; Z - Salaries and Expenses Not applicable. The Food Security Act of 1985. This program was repealed by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill), effective February 7, 2014. Therefore, no new enrollments are authorized for this program after that date., Public Law 99-198 Only agricultural producers owning or operating within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed are eligible to participate in CBWP. In addition, NRCS applies the eligibility requirements of the particular natural resource program used to implement CBWP (e.g., the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) (16 U.S.C. 3839aa et seq.), the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) (16 U.S.C. 3839bb-1)). Limited resource producers, small-scale producers, beginning farmers and ranchers, socially-disadvantaged producers, and federally recognized Indian tribes are encouraged to apply. To be eligible, the agricultural producers must be in compliance with highly erodible land and wetland conservation provisions at 7 CFR part 12, and in compliance with the Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) payment limitations at 7 CFR part 1400. Evidence that applicant has control over land to be entered into contract and submits an acceptable conservation plan for the farm or ranch unit of concern that incorporates needed natural resource conservation practices and provide either a social security number or individual tax identification number of all proposed beneficiaries. Applicants claiming either limited resource producer or beginning farmer classification may be asked to provide documents to justify their claim. This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Subpart E -Cost Principles. Preapplication coordination is not applicable. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. This program was repealed by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill), effective February 7, 2014. Therefore, no new enrollments are authorized for this program after that date. Program participation is voluntary. The applicant applies to NRCS at the local USDA Service Center on Form NRCS-CPA-1200. Applications may be filed at any time during the year. The participant develops a CBWP plan of operations that identifies what conservation practices they are proposing to implement. Technical assistance and conservation payments may be provided to apply needed conservation practices and land use adjustments within a time schedule specified by the conservation CBWP plan of operations. A contract with a participant may apply one or more land management practices or one or more structural practices. This program was repealed by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill), effective February 7, 2014. Therefore, no new enrollments are authorized for this program after that date. NRCS applies the ranking and selection requirements of the particular natural resource program used to implement CBWP (e.g., EQIP, WHIP). NRCS will give special consideration to applicants that address priority natural resource concerns designated. Applications will be periodically ranked and selected for funding based on locally developed ranking process. The ranking criteria of the various Farm Bill program can be found at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs. Not applicable. Not applicable. From 15 to 30 days. A participant may appeal any adverse determination to the State Conservationist. Not applicable. Applications will be periodically ranked and selected for funding based on: the environmental benefits per dollar expended; the cost-effectiveness of the conversation practices; the environmental benefits derived; extent to which the contract will assist the applicant in complying with Federal, State, tribal or local environmental laws; whether the land is located in a priority area and the extent the contract will assist the priority area goals and objectives. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, uses CBWP funds to enter into contracts with eligible producers to share the costs of the applicable conservation treatment on agricultural lands in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. NRCS provides payments for approved conservation practices and systems and land use adjustments within a time schedule specified by the conservation plan. The CBWP contracts may be modified to increase funds provided the increased cost is the result of a valid contract modification within the original contract scope and intent. The modification must follow the rules of the conservation program used to apply the conservation treatment. Not applicable. This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements. NRCS makes periodic random reviews of the operation and maintenance of the contract items during the life span of the conservation practice. Participants are subject to audit by the Office of the Inspector General, USDA. Records are maintained in local NRCS office and Federal record centers for specified number of years. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching is voluntary. 25%. Matching requirements for CBWP follow the rules for the particular natural resource program used to implement CBWP (e.g., EQIP, WHIP). Typically, conservation practices may be eligible for conservation payments up to 75 percent of the total cost of establishing the practice including costs of foregone income. Limited resource producers, socially-disadvantaged producers and beginning farmers and ranchers may be eligible for payments up to 90 percent of the approved practice cost.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. CBWP contract lengths and implementation schedules will follow the rules for the particular natural resource program used to implement CBWP (e.g., EQIP, WHIP). Obligations for assistance are tied to the schedule for applying conservation practices included in the CBWP plan of operations conservation plan used as the basis for the contract. Payments are made when the participant and NRCS certify that conservation practice is completed in accordance with NRCS standards and specifications. Technical assistance may be provided by a certified Technical Service Provider (TSP) in accordance with 7 CFR part 652. The participant may not engage a TSP prior to contract approval. This assistance will be reimbursed based upon applicable TSP payment rates. These payments will be made after the services of the certified TSP have been provided in accordance with NRCS standards and specifications. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Lump. For more information on this and other related conservation programs, consult the local telephone directory where your land is located for location of the USDA service center. A list of NRCS State offices with telephone numbers and addresses is available on the internet at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/organization/regions.html. Jeffrey White, Branch Chief, Program Implementation Branch, Financial Assistance Programs Division
1400 Independence Avenue, SW; Room 5231-S
Washington, DC 20250 USA
Jeffrey.White2@usda.gov
Phone: (202) 690-2621
Fax: (202) 720-4265 https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/programs/initiatives/?cid=stelprdb1047323 12-1004-0-1-302 (Direct Payments for Specified Use) FY 18$438,000.00; FY 19 est $5,049,000.00; FY 20 est $0.00; FY 17$126,000.00; FY 16$503,000.00; - (Salaries and Expenses) FY 18$1,392,000.00; FY 19 est $3,951,000.00; FY 20 est $0.00; FY 17$4,950,000.00; FY 16$1,114,000.00; - Conservation payments are limited to the rules for the particular natural resource program used to implement CBWP (e.g., EQIP, WHIP). Not applicable. Not applicable.