From USDA:
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications for fiscal year 2017 funding for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). ACEP is a program made available to landowners by the 2014 Farm Bill.
ACEP has three distinct components: 1) General ACEP - Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) to protect agricultural use and related conservation values by limiting non-agricultural uses of the land with a conservation easement; and 2) ACEP – Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) Grasslands of Special Environment Significance, and 3) ACEP - Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands through the purchase of a wetland reserve easement.
Landowners interested in ACEP-ALE and ACEP-ALE Grasslands can only participate in the program by working through an eligible nongovernmental organization, State, Tribal, or local government that has an existing farmland or ranchland protection program. The eligible nongovernmental organization, State, Tribal, or local government then submits ACEP proposals to the NRCS State Conservationist.
For general agricultural land enrollments, participating organizations are required to hold the easement and provide for at least 50 percent matching funds. Participating organization must provide a minimum of 50 percent in matching funds, with NRCS contribution not to exceed 50 percent of the conservation easements fair market value determined by an appraisal of the property offered for the program.
For ACEP-ALE Grasslands of Special Significance, enrollments may be funded by NRCS at the 75 percent level of the conservation easements fair market value, with the sponsoring entity providing for at least a 25 percent match of the fair market conservation easement value.
Landowners interested in ACEP-WRE can participate in the program by working directly with the local NRCS office staff. The local NRCS office will determine land eligibility for the program. Compensation is based on a geographic rate cap of 85 percent of the fair market value determined by an appraisal. NRCS restores, holds, and monitors WRE easements. Landowners may enroll land into ACEP-WRE for a period of 30 years or perpetual easements. The 30-year easements are compensated at 75 percent of the value of perpetual easements. Tribes have an option to participate in 30-year contracts. In 2017, landowners have the option to reserve the grazing rights for WRE easement enrollments that meet the eligibility criteria. Reserved Grazing Rights enrollments are compensated at 75 percent of the value of perpetual and 30 year enrollment options.
Applications are accepted on a continual basis; however, the deadline to submit applications for both ACEP-ALE and ACEP-WRE to be considered for first batch of FY 2017 funding is January 15, 2017. Applications received after that date will be accepted and considered when, and if, funds become available.
For more information, please contact your local NRCS Field Service Center District Conservationist or Gary L. Roeder, Assistant State Conservationist - Programs at 775-857-8500 extension 103.
Learn more about ACEP and other Farm Bill programs at www.nrcs.usda.gov/farmbill.
To get started with NRCS, visit your local USDA Service Center or www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted.
