Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI)

Applications for all USDA NRCS programs are accepted on a continuous basis with application batching dates set regularly. The application batching date has not yet been established for Fiscal Year 2013 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Batching dates will be posted here when they are established.

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Priority Areas Fiscal Year 2012 Full screen view

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has posted a listing of the grants they have awarded to date through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Once you have entered the Web site, click on “GLRI Grants Awarded (PDF)” just under the title banner. The listing includes project title, applicant name, description, award amount, and state.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service is one of the cabinet and agency organizations that will work together with landowners in the Great Lakes to protect and restore the Great Lakes ecosystem through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). A portion of the almost $300 million allocated for the GLRI will be made available through NRCS to address the environmental issues facing the Great Lakes, including invasive species, near-shore health and nonpoint source pollution, and habitat and wildlife protection.

In New York, priority areas within the Great Lakes watershed have been selected to receive funding through GLRI. Funding for conservation activities that address the environmental issues outlined in the GLRI plan will be made available though existing conservation programs offered by NRCS.

These programs include:

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program is designed for agricultural producers actively using their land for agriculture production. Both technical and financial assistance is provided to the producer to implement management and structural conservation practices that address natural resource issues such as soil erosion and water quality. Examples of practices that may be used in this program include crop residue management, livestock waste storage, and nutrient management. Each eligible conservation practice has a Practice Payment Rate (PPR) which is a fixed amount based on a percentage of the state average cost of a typical installation of that practice. The Practice Payment rate for "Historically Underserved" is higher than the general rate.

Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) 

The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program program is designed for private landowners to address wildlife habitat creation and restoration on agricultural land or non-industrial forest land. Technical and financial assistance is provided to create or enhance habitat for at-risk shrubland dwelling birds including golden winged warbler and American woodcock. Each eligible conservation practice has a Practice Payment Rate (PPR) which is a fixed amount based on a percentage of the state average cost of a typical installation of that practice. The Practice Payment Rate for “Historically Underserved” participants will be higher than the general rate.

Emergency Watershed Protection Program – Floodplain Easements (EWPP-FPE)

The Emergency Watershed Protection Program – Floodplain Easements program is designed for landowners who have floodplain lands that have been impaired within the last 12 months or that have a history of repeated flooding (i.e., flooded at least two times during the past 10 years). NRCS purchases permanent conservation easements on the land and restores the land to its natural condition. The landowner receives the lowest of the three values established for the Wetlands Reserve Program as an easement payment; a value based on a market analysis, a geographic rate established by the NRCS State Conservationist, or the landowner offer.

This program is designed to keep productive farm and ranch land in agricultural production. NRCS provides matching funds to acquire conservation easements on farms that are part of an existing State, tribal, or local government, or non-governmental organization farmland protection program. NRCS provides up to 50 percent of the fair market assessment value of the conservation easement.

Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP)

The Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program program is designed to keep productive farm and ranch land in agricultural production. NRCS provides matching funds to acquire conservation easements on farms that are part of an existing State, tribal, or local government, or non-governmental organization farmland protection program. NRCS provides up to 50 percent of the fair market assessment value of the conservation easement.

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Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Fact Sheet (PDF; 1.5 MB)

How to Apply for USDA-NRCS Conservation Programs

Learn what steps you will need to take to prepare for, and submit, your application to become a USDA-NRCS Conservation Program participant.

For more information, contact your local USDA Service Center, or visit the USDA-NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program Web site.

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