NRCS Conservation Programs in Nebraska

NRCS Conservation Programs

in NebraskaBrad Soncksen

Assistant State Conservationist for Programs

Lincoln, NEbrad.soncksen@ne.usda.gov

www.ne.nrcs.usda.govUSDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

2

Conservation Programs

• FY2013 Program Review• FY2014 Program Discussion

FY14 Fund PoolsSub Committee Recommendations Practice Payment Schedule

Conservation Programs

• Stewardship • Easement • Land Treatment

3

44

STEWARDSHIP PROGRAMSConservation Security Program

Conservation Stewardship Program

55

Conservation Security ProgramCSP from 2004 - 2008

Conservation Security Program• 4 signups in 24 NE counties • Total Contracts = 2021• Current Active contracts = 765• 5 – 10 year contracts• Acres in Active Contracts =

552,877• FY13 Payments = $5,154,927 6

77

Conservation Stewardship Program

8

Created by 2008 Farm Bill• Replaced the Conservation

Security Program of Prior Years• Authorizes 12,796,000 Acres/Year

Enrollment Through 2017 • Managed to achieve a National

average rate of $18/acre

Conservation Stewardship Program• Total Contracts = 2083• Total Acres = 3,991,787• FY2013 Payments = $42,488,296• Projected new 2013 contracts = 425• Projected new 2013 Acres = 900,000

9

CherryHolt

Custer

Sioux

Lincoln

Sheridan

Garden

Morrill

Knox

Keith

Dawes

RockBrown

Gage

Chase

Hall

Dundy

Grant

Buffalo

Clay

York

Kimball

Otoe

Dawson

Cedar

Frontier

PerkinsCass

Platte

Cheyenne

Burt

Hayes

Blaine Loup

Arthur

Box Butte

Boyd

Boone

Polk

Furnas

Banner

Hooker

Butler

Valley

Antelope

Saline

Pierce

Logan

Thomas

Lancaster

Harlan

Dixon

Dodge

Adams

Thayer

Phelps

Saunders

McPherson

Seward

Deuel

Cuming

Greeley

Keya Paha

Hitchcock

Howard

Garfield

Franklin

Fillmore

Nance

Webster Nuckolls

MadisonWheelerColfax

Merrick

Wayne

Gosper

Scotts Bluff

Red Willow

Sherman

Kearney

Jefferson

Hamilton

Pawnee

Stanton

Richardson

NemahaJohnson

Thurston

Sarpy

Douglas

Dakota

Washington

121,945

83,426

123,461 549,237

19,822 18,348

38,98234,601

6,983 2,830

58,8682,173

40,396 2,920

9,27713,845 8,575

8,9889,073 63,386

72,593189,050 118,346

46,583

112,481 114,320 133,668 70,620 16,375 14,126 25,4899,002

78,2934,60632,397 104,854 92,496

34,135

7,469 3,273 14,670 9,934 24,1761,104

80,32646,445 4,94217,862

83,97719,310 2713,413 8,320

20,494969

2381,100

2,300

7,87828,771 55,920 5,955 8,081 8,94811,803 6,185

49,84581,447 39,384 25,758

39,47291,176 119,132 7,37541,580 9,993 11,820 28,391

59,89043,167

8,36622,611 8,415 26,699 137,089 17,120 17,120 15,357 48,986 11,822 27,652 8,315 23,098

Conservation Stewardship ProgramAll Acres

Natural ResourcesConservation Service Map Date: 9/2012

By: K. Klenke

Acres189,051 - 549,23734,602 - 63,386

63,387 - 104,854

104,855 - 189,050

238 - 6,983

6,984 - 18,348

18,349 - 34,601

CherryHolt

Custer

Sioux

Lincoln

Sheridan

Garden

Morrill

Knox

Keith

Dawes

RockBrown

Gage

Chase

Hall

Dundy

Grant

Buffalo

Clay

York

Kimball

Otoe

Dawson

Cedar

Frontier

PerkinsCass

Platte

Cheyenne

Burt

Hayes

Blaine Loup

Arthur

Box Butte

Boyd

Boone

Polk

Furnas

Banner

Hooker

Butler

Valley

Antelope

Saline

Pierce

Logan

Thomas

Lancaster

Harlan

Dixon

Dodge

Adams

Thayer

Phelps

Saunders

McPherson

Seward

Deuel

Cuming

Greeley

Keya Paha

Hitchcock

Howard

Garfield

Franklin

Fillmore

Nance

Webster Nuckolls

MadisonWheelerColfax

Merrick

Wayne

Gosper

Scotts Bluff

Red Willow

Sherman

Kearney

Jefferson

Hamilton

Pawnee

Stanton

Richardson

NemahaJohnson

Thurston

Sarpy

Douglas

Dakota

Washington

25

34

32 97

5 8

1710

15 76

513 4

1322 13

187 11

2034 34

9

28 31 42 16 24 20 27 1321 71 21 13

184 6 25 12 23 1

3020 97

1627 52 7

13 1 317

1117 36 8 5 2212 1659

26 15 12 5465 121 635 15 19 5775

8516

11 9 16 78 11 11 26 55 23 37 19 40

Conservation Stewardship ProgramAll Active Contracts

Natural ResourcesConservation Service Map Date: 9/2012

By: K. Klenke

Contracts

1 - 11 12 - 24 25 - 42 43 - 121

CherryHolt

Custer

Sioux

Lincoln

Sheridan

Garden

Morrill

Knox

Keith

Dawes

RockBrown

Gage

Chase

Hall

Dundy

Grant

Buffalo

Clay

York

Kimball

Otoe

Dawson

Cedar

Frontier

PerkinsCass

Platte

Cheyenne

Burt

Hayes

Blaine Loup

Arthur

Box Butte

Boyd

Boone

Polk

Furnas

Banner

Hooker

Butler

Valley

Antelope

Saline

Pierce

Logan

Thomas

Lancaster

Harlan

Dixon

Dodge

Adams

Thayer

Phelps

Saunders

McPherson

Seward

Deuel

Cuming

Greeley

Keya Paha

Hitchcock

Howard

Garfield

Franklin

Fillmore

Nance

Webster Nuckolls

MadisonWheelerColfax

Merrick

Wayne

Gosper

Scotts Bluff

Red Willow

Sherman

Kearney

Jefferson

Hamilton

Pawnee

Stanton

Richardson

NemahaJohnson

Thurston

Sarpy

Douglas

Dakota

Washington

Area 1212

703,641 Acres

Area 2405

1,597,164 Acres

Area 5164

564,671 AcresArea 3604

673,507 Acres

Area 4698

452,801 Acres

Date: September 2012By: K. Klenke

Conservation Stewardship ProgramsContracts and Acres through 2012 by Ranking Areas

Natural ResourcesConservation Service

Ranking Areas: Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 Area 5

2,083 ContractsTotal 3,991,784 Acres

CherryHolt

Custer

Sioux

Lincoln

Sheridan

Garden

Morrill

Knox

Keith

Dawes

RockBrown

Gage

Chase

Hall

Dundy

Grant

Buffalo

Clay

York

Kimball

Otoe

Dawson

Cedar

Frontier

PerkinsCass

Platte

Cheyenne

Burt

Hayes

Blaine Loup

Arthur

Box Butte

Boyd

Boone

Polk

Furnas

Banner

Hooker

Butler

Valley

Antelope

Saline

Pierce

Logan

Thomas

Lancaster

Harlan

Dixon

Dodge

Adams

Thayer

Phelps

Saunders

McPherson

Seward

Deuel

Cuming

Greeley

Keya Paha

Hitchcock

Howard

Garfield

Franklin

Fillmore

Nance

Webster Nuckolls

MadisonWheelerColfax

Merrick

Wayne

Gosper

Scotts Bluff

Red Willow

Sherman

Kearney

Jefferson

Hamilton

Pawnee

Stanton

Richardson

NemahaJohnson

Thurston

Sarpy

Douglas

Dakota

Washington

$569,302

$699,272

$948,808$3,081,486

$147,651 $119,172

$304,285$316,026

$73,734 $34,352

$216,238

$44,006

$386,540$49,368

$214,512$251,567 $170,

410$272,386$102,331 $394,221

$451,555$1,032,526 $841,235

$242,330

$854,741 $606,368 $990,225 $474,489 $371,304 $267,912 $524,455

$167,046$598,921

$147,828$40,000 $496,154 $470,643

$478,560

$82,850 $45,514 $346,537 $202,775

$511,598 $15,305

$897,908$457,089 $101,518$132,182

$283,114$359,419 $5,098

$36,390 $136,096

$542,125$17,052

$7,551$18,754

$52,201

$227,829$384,077

$972,395 $60,858 $79,067 $216,031$274,075 $123,984$257,959

$656,822 $370,603 $259,004$712,498$1,

360,331

$2,983,984 $175,630

$1,104,416 $203,281 $265,711 $650,901

$1,323,766

$973,953

$152,266$172,650 $148,736 $398,922 $1,724,420 $427,621 $259,715 $264,805 $1,204,

244 $301,946 $421,050 $131,227 $366,348

Conservation Stewardship ProgramAnnual Contract Payments per County

Natural ResourcesConservation Service Map Date: 9/2012

By: K. Klenke

Payments$5,098.00 - $316,026.00 $316,026.01 - $712,498.00 $712,498.01 - $1,724,420.00 $1,724,420.01 - $3,081,486.00

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Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP)

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• WRP FY2013– 18 apps received

>60 pts.– 3,105 acres – 3,027 acre

enrollment cap– $7.7 million initial

allocation

1616

• WRP FY2013– 16 Funded– 2,808 acres

• 161 RWB WREP – $ 4.6 million

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Grasslands Reserve Program

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Farm and Ranch LandsProtection Program

FRPP Fiscal Year 2013• Current list of entities utilizing

FRPP:– Nebraska Land Trust– The Nature Conservancy– The Sandhills Task Force– Northern Prairies Land Trust

• FY2013 Allocation = $900,000• FY2013 Enrollment = (2) 3977

acres 20

FY2014 Subcommittee Recommendations - Easements• Handout

Meeting Minutes Ranking Worksheets: WRP, GRP, FRPP

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Wildlife Habitat IncentivesProgram (WHIP)

WHIP Fiscal Year 2013• Working Lands For Wildlife

– No Nebraska species approved in 2013– FY13 Proposal:

• Bob White Quail: Harlan, Howard, Furnas

• Greater Prairie Chicken: Knox, Antelope, Wheeler, Holt, Pawnee, Johnson, Nemaha

• Black Footed Ferret23

24

EQIP Fund Allocation in 2013 General

• $ 29,924,018

25

. EQIP Fund Obligations in 2013– State SI (contracts) (obligation)

•Frenchman 3 $ 87,210• Tribal 2 $ 84,163

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. EQIP Fund Obligations in 2013– National Initiatives (contracts and obligation)

•NWQI 23 $ 242,344–4 watersheds: Conestoga Lake, Cottonwood, Cub Creek, Big Indian

•Organic 9 $ 179,029•Energy 0 $ 0•High Tunnel 22 $ 120,130•Ogallala SI 80 $ 4,448,174•CAP-CNMP 21 $ 182,955

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AWEP - CCPI Fund Allocations in 2013

Partnership• AWEP $ 3.7 million• CCPI $ 72,000

AWEP Practices - 2013• 10 SDI systems on 640 acres• 27 Sprinkler Conversions on 2114 acres• 69 IWM contracts on 37,445 acres• 9 Nutrient Mgmt. contracts on 6,512 acres

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29

AWEP Partnership AgreementsFY2012 & FY2013

• No RFPFY2011 – Expire 2015

• Upper Republican NRD FY2010 – Expire 2014

• Lower Republican NRD• Ogallala – Platte River Recovery• Upper Big Blue NRD

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AWEP Partnership AgreementsFY2009

• Middle Republican NRD – Expire 2013• Central NE Public Power and Irrigation

District – Expire 2013• Little Blue NRD (Expired)• Lower Big Blue NRD (Expired)• Lower Platte North NRD – Expire 2013

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Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative

3333

2013 Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative - Nebraska• 2 Projects in FY2013

–Shelterbelt - $72,000 – 40 AppsAugust 14 app cutoffSeptember 13 contract approval

–Riparian Forest Buffer - $0

EQIP 2013 Practices

• Waste Storage Facilities

• Grazing Management• Ponds• Pipelines • Fence

EQIP 2013 Practices

Brush Management

Prescribed Burn

EQIP 2013 Practices

SDI Systems Sprinkler Systems IWM

EQIP 2013 Practices• Terraces • Diversions • Grade Stabs • Waterways • Underground Outlet • No till • Windbreak/Shelterbelt

EQIP 2013 Practices Seasonal High

Tunnels Nutrient Mgmt Pest Mgmt Cover Crops Organic

EQIP 2013 Practices • 19 Waste Storage Facilities• 9 Ponds• 1.3 million ft of Fence• 571 Tanks• 87 Micro irrigation contracts on 5,153 Acres • 49 Sprinkler Conversions on 16,597 Acres• 164 IWM contracts - 113,715 Acres• 52 Nutrient Mgmt. contracts – 38,808 Acres

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EQIP 2013 Practices • 2.2 million ft of pipelines – 254 contracts• 1.6 million ft. of terraces - 146 contracts• 13,054 acres of Brush mg.t – 127 contracts• 6 Grade Stabilization structures • 644,253 ft. windbrk/shelterblt–121 contracts• 22 High Tunnels

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FY2013 Program Obligations• EQIP = $29.9 million• AWEP = $ 3.7 million• WHIP = $ 0• WRP/WREP = $4.6 million• FRPP = $ 900,000• CSP = $5.1 million• CStP = $8.6 million

–Total = $ 52.8 million41

FY2014 EQIP Signup

• FY2014 Application Cutoff (Tentative)• First: October 18, 2013• Second: January 2014

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EQIP Fund Pools FY2014• Special Initiatives – State &

NationalOgallala Aquifer InitiativeOrganic InitiativeHigh TunnelEnergyNational Water Quality InitiativeTribalWorking Lands for Wildlife (?NE) 43

EQIP Fund Pools FY2014

• 9 Priority Resource Concerns– 4 Local– 5 Statewide

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SOIL EROSION: Sheet and Rill, Ephemeral, Wind - Local• 329 – Residue Management, No-Till• 340 – Cover Crop (erosion control)• 410 –Grade Stabilization Structure• 412 – Grassed Waterway• 362 – Diversion• 600 – Terrace• 620 – Underground Outlet• 638 – Water and Sediment Control Basin45

EXCESS/INSUFFICIENT WATER: Irrigation - Local• 328 – Conservation Crop Rotation• 430 – Irrigation Water Conveyance• 441 – Micro Irrigation• 442 – Irrigation Systems – Sprinkler• 443 – Irrigation system – Surface &

Sub• 449 – Irrigation Water Management• 533 – Pumping Plant – Irrigation

related

46

DEGRADED PLANT CONDITION: Plant Productivity, Invasive - Local• 314 – Brush Management• 338 – Prescribed Burning• 382 – Fence• 472 – Access Control

47

LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION LIMITATION: Inadequate Forage, Water, shelter - Local• 378 – Pond• 380 – Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment• 512 – Forage and Biomass Planting• 516 – Pipeline• 528 – Prescribed Grazing• 533 – Pumping Plant – Livestock related• 550 – Range Planting• 614 – Water Facility• 642 – Water Well• 650 – Windbreak/Shelterbelt Renovation 48

WATER QUALITY DEGRADATION: Excess Nutrients, Pathogens/Chemicals, Sediment – State (slide 1 of 2)• 313 – Waste Storage Facility• 316 – Animal Mortality Facility• 350 – Sediment Basin• 351 – Well Decommissioning• 359 – Waste Treatment Lagoon• 360 – Closure of Waste Impoundment• 386 – Field Border• 393 – Filter Strip• 521 – Pond Sealing or Lining 49

WATER QUALITY DEGRADATION: Excess Nutrients, Pathogens/Chemicals, Sediment – State (slide 2 of 2)• 578 – Stream Crossing• 590 – Nutrient Management• 595 – Integrated Pest Management• 632 – Solid – Liquid Waste Separation• 633 – Waste Utilization• 634 – Waste Transfer• 635 – Vegetated Treatment Area

50

SOIL QUALITY DEGRADATION: Organic Matter, Compaction - State• 340 – Cover Crop (when primary

purpose is overall soil quality effects)

• 329 – Residue and Tillage Management, No Till

• 511 – Forage Harvest Management51

INADEQUATE HABITAT for FISH and WILDLIFE: Habitat Degradation – State (slide 1 of 2)• 390 – Riparian Herbaceous Cover• 391 – Riparian Forest Buffer• 612 – Tree/Shrub Establishment• 643 – Restoration and

Management of Rare and Declining Habitats

• 644 – Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management 52

INADEQUATE HABITAT for FISH and WILDLIFE: Habitat Degradation – State (slide 2 of 2)•645 – Upland Wildlife Habitat Mgmt.•646 – Shallow Water Development•657 – Wetland Restoration•659 – Wetland Enhancement•666 – Forest Stand Improvement

53

INEFFICIENT ENERGY USE: Field, Farmstead - State• 372 – Combustion System

Improvement• 374 – Farmstead Energy

Improvement• 533 - Pumping Plant

54

AIR QUALITY: GHG’s, Dust, Odor - State• 366 – Anaerobic Digester

55

EQIP - Sub Committee Recommendations – FY14 • Implement Ranking Threshold Score• Implement Practice Payment Cap• Add small grain scenario – PPS process• Add dry hydrant practice – PPS process

Recommendation - Support56

EQIP - Sub Committee Recommendations – FY14• Revise payment rates – PPS process

Reduce Livestock pipeline Reduce Mulch for Trees Increase Forest Stand

Improvement Increase Access Control Increase Prescribed Burning Increase Pit Fill

Recommendation - Support57

EQIP - Sub Committee Recommendations – FY14

• Revise OAI priority Areas• Implement State WQI to supplement NWQI• Implement Forestry SI• Allow new pumping plants in existing well

Recommendation - Support 58

Threshold Score – FY14• Applications in the 1st sign up

period will be approved to a score which is 50% - 75% of the maximum attainable score.

Recommendation - Support59

Practice Payment Cap

• Limit the payment amount for a practice

• Fixed amount regardless of participant cost

Recommendation - Support60

Practice Payment Cap • $100,000 limit per practice within a contract• Nutrient Management• Brush Management• Cover Crops • Small Grain Scenario (if approved)

Practice Payment Schedule Process 61

FY2014 Subcommittee Recommendations - EQIP• Handout

Meeting Minutes State Water Quality Initiative Ranking Questions FY14 EQIP Fund Allocation

63

Ogallala Aquifer Initiative

Wyoming

South Dakota

Nebraska

Colorado

Kansas

Oklahoma

New Mexico

Texas

Lea

Cherry

Eddy

Chaves

Weld

Union

Albany

Holt

Quay

Baca

Converse

Yuma

Las Animas

Custer

Sioux

Platte

Lincoln

Lincoln

Texas

Larimer

Laramie

Bent

Tripp

Ellis

Elbert

Niobrara

Logan

Kiowa

Goshen

Todd

Guadalupe

De Baca

Sheridan

Harding

Beaver

Curry

Roosevelt

Reno

Ford

Shannon

Garden

Ellis

Morrill

Knox

Ness

Hale

Gaines

Keith

Dallam

Washington

Gove

Dawes

Rock

Kit Carson

Jackson

Prowers

Hartley

Cimarron

Gray

Finney

Clark

Oldham

Brown

Lynn

Gray

FloydLamb

Cheyenne Logan

Terry

Andrews

Rice

Barber

Gage

Mellette

Trego

Smith

Garza

Pratt

Potter

Sumner

Bennett

Harper

Jewell

Motley

Rooks

Lane

Dewey

Meade

Ector

Chase

Hall

Moore

Rush

Martin

Dundy

Scott

Grant

Rawlins

Castro

Marion

Buffalo

Bailey

Clay

Barton

Donley

Thomas

Deaf Smith

Carson

Crosby

York

Gregory

Kimball

PhillipsNorton

Dawson

Cedar

Borden

Kearny

Frontier

Randall

BriscoeParmer

Perkins

Platte

Kiowa

Cheyenne

Roberts

Wallace

Burt

Sherman

Blaine

Hayes

Harper

Dickens

Howard

Woodward

Loup

Hockley

Swisher

Graham

Decatur

Arthur

Dawson

Hamilton

Wheeler

Box Butte

Boyd

Boone

Lubbock

Polk

Sedgwick

Furnas

Banner

Roger MillsHemphill

Grant

Sherman

Cheyenne

Morton

Ochiltree

Greeley

Winkler

Hansford

Sheridan

Hooker

Yoakum

Stafford

Phillips

Lipscomb

Beckham

Kingman

Butler

Valley

Pawnee

Wichita

Saline

Pierce

Cochran

Logan

Stevens

Midland

Thomas

Harlan

Stanton

Seward

Republic

Dodge

Adams

Thayer

Phelps

Saunders

Haskell

Ellsworth

Hodgeman

McPherson

Seward

Harvey

Deuel

Cuming

Greeley

Keya Paha

Howard

Hitchcock

Garfield

Edwards

Franklin

Fillmore

Nance

Glasscock

WayneScotts Bluff

Sedgwick

Antelope

Armstrong

Dixon

McPherson

Hutchinson

Comanche

WebsterNuckolls

MadisonWheeler

Collingsworth

Colfax

Merrick

Gosper

Red Willow

Sherman

Kearney

Jefferson

Hamilton

Stanton

Thurston

SarpyDouglas

Washington

Ogallala Aquifer InitiativeStates & Counties

Map Date: December 2010By: K. Klenke

Natural ResourcesConservation Service

Ogallala Aquifer

0 50 10025

Miles

/

State Boundary County Boundary

Ogallala Initiative by NRCS Administrative Area

68

PRACTICE PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Practice Payment Schedule• Prior to the 2008 Farm Bill - cost-share payments as a

percentage of the actual costs • Incentive payments for EQIP management practices were

also made. • Actual costs had to be documented by producer receipts

and invoices. • Collecting invoices and receipts necessary to administer

cost-share payments

The 2008 Farm Bill eliminated the authority to make program payments using “cost-share”

Cost-Share

The OLD Authority & Methodology

Practice Payment Schedule• Ensure all conservation payments are

WTO/NAFTA green box compliant• Ensure that the cost basis is adequately

documented, to substantiate exclusion for AGI

• Reduce customer uncertainty about program payments

• Change from “Paying to implement a practice” to “Paying to obtain an environmental/social benefit”

Pay Rate Specifics• Payments are based on the costs of

applying a typical conservation practice.• Practice payments no longer based on

contract holder’s actual costs and receipts.

• Traditional cost share process is replaced with concept of program participant compensation– Incentive Payments Not Allowed– Based On “Actual Cost Incurred”

Economic Regions

Sothern Mtn.

Northern Mtn.

Southern Plains

Northern Plains

PacificLake States

Corn Belt

Delta States

Southeast

Appalachian

Mid

Atlantic

1New England

Practice Cost Data

• Example Cost List Data Sources– Contract Receipts, Vendors,

Contractors, Agricultural Suppliers, Conservation Partners, Cost Databases, Agricultural Statistics

– Cost estimating models or tools (RS Means)

– Other reliable sources

Practice Cost Data• The Cost List contains a fixed list of cost

categories:– Materials– Equipment– Labor– Mobilization– Operation & Maintenance– Acquisition of Technical Knowledge and

Management– Forgone Income– Risk– Administration & Permit Costs

Example: Practice Payment Rate Development Methodology (382-Fence)

  EQIP WHIP EQIPWHIP

Cost Category Cost/Unit Pmt % Pmt % PPR PPRMaterials   $ 0.84 65% 50% $0.55 $0.42Equipment/Installation $ 0.00 65% 50% $0.00

$0.00Labor   $ 0.00 65% 50% $0.00

$0.00Mobilization $ 0.04 65% 50% $0.03

$0.02Oper. & Maint. $ 0.01 0% 0% $0.00

$0.00Tech Knowledge $ 0.00 0% 0% $0.00 $0.00Forgone Income $ 0.00 0% 0% $0.00

$0.00Risk   $ 0.00 0% 0% $0.00

$0.00Admin & Permit Costs $ 0.00 0% 0% $0.00

$0.00Total:   $ 0.89    

$0.57 $0.44

Practice Payment ScheduleAdvantages; • More consistent payment rates.• Consistent, reliable, and defendable method of creating estimated incurred costs.• Flexibility to account for cost variation. • Use established economic region alignment of states based on farm employment data and crop cost and returns.• Consistency with definition, purpose, and technical requirements of conservation practice standards.

79

Questions?

80

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