Applications for Cost Share Programs

1. Applications for Cost Share Programs March 2, 2005

2. Outline • Servicing Applications • Ranking Process • Funding • Notifying Applicants

3. Definitions • Applicant – A land user who has declared in writing the intention of participating in a long-term contract. • Participant - Any land user who is a party to an executed long-term contract. GM Title 120 Part 404.2

4. Programs • EQIP – Environmental Quality Incentives Program • WHIP – Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program • GRP – Grassland Reserve Program (rental) • CRP – Conservation Reserve Program • CSP – Conservation Security Program • SWCA – Soil & Water Conservation Assistance Program

5. Other Programs … not being covered • GRP – Grassland Reserve Program (easements) • WRP – Wetland Reserve Program • Others

6. These programs were established under the authority of the conservation title of the Food Security Act of 1985. They are directly tied to compliance with Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) provisions. EQIP WHIP GRP CRP CSP WRP FRPP Title XII Conservation Programs

7. Accepting Applications • EQIP and WHIP – Enter application in ProTracts any time during for the current fiscal year. Defer previous year applications. • GRP – Applications can be accepted year round • CSP – Enter application in ProTracts during designated sign up period. • CRP (FSA) • Continuous • General

8. Eligibility GM Title 120 Part 404.11 • Determine eligibility for: • Land User / Person • Land • For program specifics, see matrix and/or program manuals

9. Relationships between Programs Can programs be used together? • For some programs, if the land is already enrolled in a program, then it cannot be enrolled in a different program. • See matrix for details.

10. Application Forms • EQIP – CCC-1200 from ProTracts • WHIP – CCC-1200 from ProTracts • GRP – CCC-920 • CSP - CCC-1200 from ProTracts • CRP – CRP-2 …See Matrix

11. Starting Practices • Practices started before an application is approved causes the applicant to be ineligible for financial assistance for that practice. • Applicants may request the State Conservationist to grant a waiver of this provision. • Waiver must be granted after the application has been made and before starting the practice. EQIP Manual 515.81d

12. Ranking Process • EQIP, WHIP, and GRP • Field Office – use state ranking criteria for fiscal year to ranking each application. • State Office – determine ranking cutoff for each program. • CSP • Field Office – determines tier, category, & subcategory • National Headquarters – determines funding cutoff • CRP • FSA performs ranking and funding decisions

13. Application Status • Approved - Funded • Cancelled – Applicant removes application from consideration • Deferred – Not funded in current fiscal year but application maintained • Disapproved – Not removed from consideration • Eligible – Meet eligibility requirements • Ineligible – Does not meet eligibility requirements

14. Applicant Notification • Applicant must be notified by letter of application status after funding period. • Statuses include Approved, Deferred, Ineligible, etc • Program manuals have sample letters • Eventually produce letters through ProTracts.

15. Deferred Applications • Notify applicant by letter that their application has not been funded and they have 30 days to respond to the letter if they want their application considered for the next application period. • Defer applications to the next fiscal year. • IL bulletin 300-5-2 for EQIP and WHIP

16. 10 Minute Break