Wisconsin Ag Connection - NRCS Accepting ACEP Applications Until May 15

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NRCS Accepting ACEP Applications Until May 15
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 04/24/2015

USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service announced that the new Agricultural Conservation Easement Program funding has been delivered to Wisconsin for 2015. ACEP contains components replacing several easement programs from preceding farm bills.

The 2014 farm bill consolidated three previous conservation easement programs into ACEP to make it easier for diverse agricultural landowners to fully benefit from conservation initiatives. The Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program and the Grassland Reserve Program are now Agricultural Land Easements and the Wetlands Reserve Program is now Wetland Reserve Easements.

Similar to the FRPP legacy program, ALE is designed for active working farms and is a cooperative agreement with a cooperating entity, such as a land trust, that shares 50% of easement cost. Landowners work directly with entities to secure easements to protect land from development and subdivision.

WRE is designed to restore and protect wetlands and their associated habitats and allow landowners to work directly with NRCS to secure and restore easement areas with up to 100 percent of the associated costs paid for by NRCS. Wetland Reserve Easements give the opportunity for landowners to successfully enhance and protect habitat for wildlife on their lands, reduce impacts from flooding, recharge groundwater, and provide outdoor recreational and educational opportunities.

NRCS provides technical and financial assistance directly to private and tribal landowners to restore, protect and enhance wetlands through the purchase of these 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.

Signup for both elements of ACEP run year-around; however, applications for 2015 funding must be submitted on or before May 15.

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