The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) provides financial and technical assistance to help conserve agricultural lands and wetlands and their related benefits. Under the Agricultural Land Easements component, NRCS helps Indian tribes, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations protect working agricultural lands and limit non-agricultural uses of the land. Under the Wetlands Reserve Easements component, NRCS helps to restore, protect and enhance enrolled wetlands.
What's New in ACEP?
Caribbean Area NRCS is accepting applications from eligible conservation partners to protect and restore critical wetlands through May 16, 2016.
ACEP is a new program that consolidates three former programs – the Wetlands Reserve Program, Grassland Reserve Program and Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program.
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Fiscal Year 2016 Signup for Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP) projects
NRCS Caribbean Area is accepting project applications from eligible conservation partners (territorial and local government agencies and non-governmental organizations) interested in leveraging resources to voluntarily protect, restore and enhance critical wetlands on private agricultural land.
NRCS is making $15 million in financial and technical assistance available Nationwide to eligible conservation partners for this purpose through its Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP). WREP is a special enrollment option under the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program’s Wetland Reserve Easement component.
Partner benefits through WREP agreements include:
- Wetland restoration and protection in critical areas
- Ability to cost-share restoration or enhancement beyond NRCS requirements through leveraging
- Able to participate in the management or monitoring of selected project locations
- Ability to use innovative restoration methods and practices
Proposals are due in the NRCS Caribbean Area State Office in San Juan by May 16, 2016.
Fiscal Year 2016 Signup for Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
NRCS is made $350 million available across the United States to help landowners protect and restore key farmlands, grasslands and wetlands across the nation. The funding through ACEP was created by the 2014 Farm Bill to protect critical water resources and wildlife habitat, and encourage private owners to maintain land for farming and ranching. The FY 2016 easement funding application period closed January 15, 2016.
ACEP agricultural land easements protect the long-term viability of our food supply by preventing conversion of productive working lands to non-agricultural uses and support environmental quality, wildlife habitat, historic preservation and protection of open spaces. Native American Tribes, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations that have farmland or grassland protection programs are eligible to partner with NRCS to purchase conservation easements.
Wetland reserve easements allow landowners to successfully restore, enhance and protect habitat for wildlife on their lands, reduce damage from flooding, recharge groundwater and provide outdoor recreational and educational opportunities. Eligible landowners can choose to enroll in a permanent or 30-year easement.
Benefits
Agricultural Land Easements protect the long-term viability of the nation’s food supply by preventing conversion of productive working lands to non-agricultural uses. Land protected by agricultural land easements provides additional public benefits, including environmental quality, historic preservation, wildlife habitat and protection of open space.
Wetland Reserve Easements provide habitat for fish and wildlife, including threatened and endangered species, improve water quality by filtering sediments and chemicals, reduce flooding, recharge groundwater, protect biological diversity and provide opportunities for educational, scientific and limited recreational activities.
More Information
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