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Utah NRCS Programs

Utah NRCS ProgramsUtah NRCS and its Partnering Agencies administer a broad range of conservation programs to assist farmers, ranchers, and other landowners in conserving natural resources. These programs provide incentives such as technical and cost-sharing assistance to install conservation practices. If you own or manage farm, range, or forest land, then the 2008 Farm Bill conservation programs can help you address natural resource concerns and opportunities on your land.

Participation in all conservation programs is voluntary. Participant requirements and eligibility vary by program. The charts below do not contain all the NRCS programs in entirety. Visit your local USDA - NRCS Service Center to help determine which programs may be right for you.

NRCS Farm Bill Programs established through the 2008 Farm Bill

 

Financial Assistance Programs Description Who Should Apply
Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) Provides financial assistance to reduce the economic risk of adopting new conservation measures that address water management, water quality, and erosion control. Agricultural producers with priority for limited resource, beginning, or full-time farmers.
Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP) Financial assistance to implement agricultural water enhancement activities on agricultural land to conserve ground and surface water or improve water quality in the region. Agricultural producers interested in water conservation and quality.
Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Financial assistance for on-farm salinity control to reduce salinity concentrations in the Colorado River. Agricultural producers with land located in approved salinity control areas.
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) – USDA Farm Service Agency Financial assistance to establish long-term, resource conservation. Emphasis on reducing water runoff and sedimentation to protect groundwater and improve the condition of lakes, rivers, ponds, and streams. Agricultural producers with cropland or pastureland.
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) Rewards farmers and ranchers who address natural resource concerns in a comprehensive manner and offers compensation for undertaking additional enhancements. Agricultural producers who have already adopted conservation strategies on their farm.
Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI) Enables NRCS partners to help enhance conservation outcomes in conjunction with other programs on agricultural lands and private, nonindustrial forest lands. State and local units of government, producer associations, farmer cooperatives, tribes, institutions of higher education, and nongovernmental organizations.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Financial assistance to install permanent measures, adopt new management strategies, or develop activity plans for a wide range of natural resource concerns. Agricultural producers who want to plan and install measures to protect the soil, water, air, and other natural resources on their working land.
Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) Financial assistance to create, restore, or enhance high quality fish and wildlife habitats. Owners or managers of non-industrial, private forest land, agricultural land, or land that is capable of being farmed who are interested in enhancing wildlife opportunities.
Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) A new partnership between NRCS and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to use agency technical expertise combined with $33 million in financial assistance from the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program to combat the decline of seven specific wildlife species whose decline can be reversed and will benefit other species with similar habitat needs.  

 

Easement Programs Description Who Should Apply
Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP) Helps land conservation-focused partners assist farmers in keeping their land in agriculture through the purchase of development rights. State, local, and non-profit entities with existing farm protection programs who have adequate staff and financial resources necessary to manage and enforce conservation easements.
Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) Provides financial assistance to restore and protect private grasslands, pasturelands, and other lands while maintaining the areas in grass. Agricultural producers with existing grasslands, shrublands, or pasture interested in long-term commitments to maintain or enhance the grasslands.
Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) Technical and financial assistance to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands through the purchase of easements and enhancement activities. Landowners interested in restoration or long-term protection of wetlands.
Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program (WREP)  General WREP is a component of WRP through which NRCS enters into agreements with eligible partners to target and leverage resources to carry out high-priority wetland protection, restoration, and enhancement activities and improve wildlife habitat on eligible lands.  

 

Technical Assistance Programs Description Who Should Apply
Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) Natural resources conservation planning services to private and public individuals, groups, and entities. Any group or individual interested in conserving natural resources and sustaining agricultural production.
Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) Helps groups of people with imminent hazards to life and property caused by natural disasters. NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to preserve life and property threatened by excessive erosion and flooding. Public and private landowners are eligible for assistance but must be represented by a project sponsor. The project sponsor must be a unit of government such as a city, county, or conservation district.

 

Additional Utah NRCS Programs Description
Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) Collaborative process of individuals and organizations working to maintain and improve the management, productivity, and health of privately owned grazing land.
Small Watershed Program Technical and financial assistance to help communities protect, improve, and develop water and land resources.
Snow Survey Provides mountain snowpack data and streamflow forecasts for the western United States. Common applications of snow survey data include water supply management, flood control, climate modeling, recreation, and conservation planning.
Soil Survey Soils information available to the public. NRCS studies and inventories the soil resources of the Nation, since understanding the nature and properties of soils is critical to managing and conserving other natural resources.
Tribal Government Assistance - NRCS National Website NRCS provides conservation programs and technical assistance to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Tribal governments. NRCS enters into cooperative and contribution agreements with tribal organizations that can help NRCS improve working relationships with Indian tribes and works closely with other USDA agencies to promote a seamless delivery system to conservation programs.

If you are interested in participating in any of the above programs, please contact your local USDA-NRCS Service Center.

 

 

Last Modified:  10/23/2012