The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications from agricultural producers and forest landowners in the Pacific Islands Area for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), which helps producers enroll wetlands, grasslands and farmlands into conservation easements. This is the second application announcement period for the Pacific Islands Area.
While USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) accepts ACEP applications year-round, Pacific Islands Area producers and landowners should apply by February 17, 2023, to be considered for funding in the current cycle. Applications received after the ranking date will automatically be considered during the next funding cycle. Funding is provided through a competitive process.
State Technical Committees, composed of conservation and agricultural-related agency and organization representatives, work with NRCS to identify resource priorities and how best to address them. NRCS then sets state-specific ranking dates to evaluate applications for funding.
NRCS offers ACEP in Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, and CNMI in the Pacific Islands Area though continuous signups.
ACEP enrollment options include:
- ACEP-Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE): Helps restore, protect and enhance wetlands on eligible land. Wetland reserve easements are either perpetual, 30-years, or maximum duration under state law.
- ACEP-Agricultural Land Easements (ALE): Protects farmlands and grasslands by limiting non-agricultural uses of the land. Agricultural Land Easements are either perpetual or the maximum duration allowed under State law and must be submitted by an eligible partner entity such as a land trust
To learn more or apply, please visit your local NRCS Pacific Islands Area field office, or contact Nicholas Saumweber, easement coordinator, at Nicholas.saumweber@usda.gov or 808-600-2959.
Contact your local Service Center to set up an in-person or phone appointment. On farmers.gov, you can create a secure account, apply for NRCS programs, electronically sign documents and manage your conservation contracts.
Original source can be found here.
