News Release

$4 Mil Available to Protect South Carolina’s Grassland, Wetlands, Working Lands

Contact:
Jerry Bynum, State Public Affairs Specialist
803-253-3045

Application Deadline is Jan. 13, 2017


COLUMBIA, S.C., Nov. 28, 2016 —U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in South Carolina will make available up to $4 million in financial assistance to help eligible applicants protect and restore key farmlands, grasslands and wetlands through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP).

The fiscal year 2017 application deadline for landowners interested in wetland reserve easement (WRE) funding and entities interested in agricultural land easement (ALE) funding is Jan. 13, 2017.

“NRCS in South Carolina is committed to preserving working agricultural lands to help protect the long-term viability of farming in our state as well as to restoring and protecting vital sensitive wetlands that provide important wildlife habitat and improve water quality,” said Ann English, State Conservationist for NRCS in South Carolina. “We work very closely with partners and landowners to ensure we get the maximum natural benefit for every acre we protect.”

ACEP funding is designed to encourage owners and operators of private agricultural and forest lands to keep those lands in agriculture and forestry. Through the voluntary sale of an easement, landowners limit future development to protect their natural resources such as water quality and wildlife habitat.

ALEs protect the long-term viability of the food supply by preventing conversion of productive cropland, grassland, pastureland, and non-industrial private forest land from conversion to non-agricultural uses. Eligible partners include state and local governments and non-governmental organizations that have farmland, forestland or grassland protection programs. Under ALE, NRCS may contribute up to 50 percent of the fair market value of the agricultural land easement.

WREs allow landowners to successfully restore, enhance and protect habitat for wildlife on their lands, reduce flood damage, recharge groundwater and provide outdoor recreational and educational opportunities. Eligible landowners can choose to enroll in a permanent or 30-year easement. Tribal landowners also have the option of enrolling in 30-year contracts. NRCS pays 100 percent of the easement value for the purchase of permanent easement and 100 percent of the restoration costs. For 30-year easements, NRCS pays the landowner 50 to 75 percent of the easement value for the easement purchase and 50 to 75 percent of the restoration costs.

Eligible land includes farmed wetlands that can be successfully and economically restored; former or degraded wetlands with a history of agricultural use; wetlands farmed under natural conditions; and “prior-converted” cropland converted on or before Dec. 23, 1985. Conservation Reserve Program land established with trees may also be eligible for enrollment through a waiver.

ACEP applications can be submitted throughout the year, but must be received by certain deadlines to be eligible for specific fiscal year funding. To learn more about ACEP in South Carolina, visit your local NRCS office. USDA service center locations are listed at http://offices.usda.gov. To learn about other financial and technical assistance available to help South Carolina farmers and other landowners improve and protect their land, visit the NRCS in South Carolina website at www.sc.nrcs.usda.gov.

 

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