The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is now accepting applications for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). Created under the 2014 Farm Bill, this program provides funding for the purchase of conservation easements to help productive farm and ranch lands remain in agriculture and protect critical wetlands.
Kansas state conservationist Eric B. Banks said, “Conservation easements provide many public benefits to Kansans, including protection of open spaces, wildlife habitat, and wetland preservation. We encourage private landowners, Indian tribes, and non-governmental organizations to contact their local NRCS office to apply.” There are two programs under ACEP, each with a different application process. Vesting the NRCS office will ensure the applicant receives guidance on the correct application process.
The goal of ACEP is to protect land devoted to food production and wildlife habitat from being converted to non-agricultural uses. ACEP is a voluntary program for landowners or tribal governments that allow them to leave a conservation heritage for their family and community. Landowners can chose between the ACEP-Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) or ACEP-Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) enrollments options. ALEs protect the long-term viability of the nation’s food supply by preventing conversion of productive croplands and grasslands to non-agricultural uses. The WRE component restores wetlands to provide habitat for wildlife, including threatened and endangered species; improve water quality by filtering sediments and chemicals; reduce flooding; recharge groundwater; and protect biological diversity.
Kansas has approved a Wetland Reserve Easement Reservation of Grazing Rights Option under ACEP-WRE for fiscal year 2017. This option is for selected counties in central and western Kansas. Landowners should check with their local USDA Service Center to see if this enrollment option is available for their county. Landowners in these counties can select an enrollment option for length of time as well as for Reservation of Grazing Rights. The selection for a Reservation of Grazing Rights will result in a 25 percent reduction in the easement payment, in addition to any other reductions to the easement payment per enrollment option as applicable.
NRCS provides technical and financial assistance directly to private and tribal landowners to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands through the purchase of conservation easements. 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 staff will work with applicants to help them through the application process for WRE. Land Trusts in Kansas will work with landowners to help them through the application process for ALE and provide one-on-one assistance to create the conservation easement that works best for their farming or ranching operation.
All WRE applications will be rated according to the easement’s potential for protecting and enhancing habitat for migratory birds, fish, and other wildlife. Eligible applicants will be compensated with a payment rate comparable to the local land use value. Those rates are posted on the Kansas NRCS Web site. ALE conservation easements payment is determined by an appraisal process completed on the property.
It is important that applicants provide accurate records of ownership and ensure they have established a record of ownership with USDA’s Farm Service Agency. Application information is available at your local USDA Service Center and at www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted.
Applications can be submitted at any time, but to be considered for 2017 funding opportunities, applications in Kansas must be received by Nov. 25. Applications are currently being accepted for both agricultural land and wetlands reserve easements. Contact your local NRCS office or conservation district office for specific information for your county.
For more information, visit the Kansas NRCS Web site www.ks.nrcs.usda.gov/programs or your local U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Service Center. To find a service center near you, check on the Internet at offices.usda.gov. Follow us on Twitter @NRCS_Kansas.