USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) revised a Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) funding announcement, opening up more opportunities for commercial forestry operations. NRCS will award up to $360 million dollars to locally driven, public-private partnerships that improve the nation’s water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability.
The original announcement had stated “Forest land eligibility does not encompass industrial forest lands that are owned by companies, organizations, and individuals who engage in commercially oriented forest management and production activities.” NRCS has removed this language, which partners may have interpreted as limiting opportunities for RCPP projects on forest lands where eligible activities would help achieve conservation benefits.
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NRCS has also extended the proposal deadline to November 30, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. To learn more about the opportunity for funding, read the August 6 announcement, and for more information on how to apply, view the Application for Program Funding on grants.gov.
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