The WRP offers permanent and 30-year easement options as well as 10-year restoration agreements to restore and enhance functions and values of wetlands that were been degraded or drained for agricultural purposes prior to December 23, 1985. The foremost objective of the WRP is to restore wetland ecosystems to enhance habitat for migratory birds, wetland wildlife, and threatened and endangered species. Secondary objectives include improved water quality, attenuation of flooding, groundwater recharge, and other benefits derived from properly functioning wetland systems. C. Stewardship Program Conservation Security Program (CSP) The CSP supports ongoing stewardship of private agricultural lands by providing payments for maintaining and enhancing natural resources. CSP identifies and rewards those farmers and ranchers who are meeting the highest standards of conservation and environmental management on their operations. Sign-ups for CSP are offered in selected watersheds across the Nation on a rotational basis. Farmers and ranchers that have already implemented conservation actions that benefit fish and wildlife are eligible for higher levels of stewardship payments. Participants in CSP can also receive payments for enhancing fish and wildlife habitat on enrolled lands over the life of their contract. D. Opportunities 1. Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI) The CCPI is a voluntary program established to foster conservation partnerships that focus technical and financial resources on conservation priorities in watersheds and air sheds of special significance. The CCPI is established to encourage the formation of partnerships to devise and implement watershed or regional solutions to pressing natural resource priorities associated with agriculture and rural settings. Terrestrial and freshwater aquatic habitat is a conservation priority for CCPI. Under CCPI, funds are awarded to State and local governments and agencies, Indian Tribes, and non-governmental organizations that have a history of working with agricultural producers. Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) The CIG is funded under authority of EQIP and is an attractive alternative for agricultural producers that allow greater flexibility and use of innovative approaches to treat pressing environmental concerns and to ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local regulations. Although wildlife habitat is currently not a targeted natural resource concern for the CIG National component, fish and wildlife may be secondary beneficiaries of actions to improve soil, water, atmospheric resources, and health of grazing lands. States with a CIG State component can add a wildlife habitat resource concern at the discretion of the State Conservationist. VII. WHIP Applicant Ranking and Evaluation
The WRP offers permanent and 30-year easement options as well as 10-year restoration agreements to restore and enhance functions and values of wetlands that were been degraded or drained for agricultural purposes prior to December 23, 1985. The foremost objective of the WRP is to restore wetland ecosystems to enhance habitat for migratory birds, wetland wildlife, and threatened and endangered species. Secondary objectives include improved water quality, attenuation of flooding, groundwater recharge, and other benefits derived from properly functioning wetland systems. C. Stewardship Program Conservation Security Program (CSP) The CSP supports ongoing stewardship of private agricultural lands by providing payments for maintaining and enhancing natural resources. CSP identifies and rewards those farmers and ranchers who are meeting the highest standards of conservation and environmental management on their operations. Sign-ups for CSP are offered in selected watersheds across the Nation on a rotational basis. Farmers and ranchers that have already implemented conservation actions that benefit fish and wildlife are eligible for higher levels of stewardship payments. Participants in CSP can also receive payments for enhancing fish and wildlife habitat on enrolled lands over the life of their contract. D. Opportunities 1. Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI) The CCPI is a voluntary program established to foster conservation partnerships that focus technical and financial resources on conservation priorities in watersheds and air sheds of special significance. The CCPI is established to encourage the formation of partnerships to devise and implement watershed or regional solutions to pressing natural resource priorities associated with agriculture and rural settings. Terrestrial and freshwater aquatic habitat is a conservation priority for CCPI. Under CCPI, funds are awarded to State and local governments and agencies, Indian Tribes, and non-governmental organizations that have a history of working with agricultural producers. Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) The CIG is funded under authority of EQIP and is an attractive alternative for agricultural producers that allow greater flexibility and use of innovative approaches to treat pressing environmental concerns and to ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local regulations. Although wildlife habitat is currently not a targeted natural resource concern for the CIG National component, fish and wildlife may be secondary beneficiaries of actions to improve soil, water, atmospheric resources, and health of grazing lands. States with a CIG State component can add a wildlife habitat resource concern at the discretion of the State Conservationist. VII. WHIP Applicant Ranking and Evaluation