2008 Washington State NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants

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Section 1240H of the Food Security Act of 1985, as added by section 2301 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-171) established Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) as part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) [16 U.S.C. 3839aa-8]. Through CIG, the Secretary of Agriculture may pay the cost of competitive grants to carry out projects that stimulate innovative approaches to leveraging Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection in conjunction with agricultural production. The purpose of CIG is to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies while leveraging Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection, in conjunction with agricultural production. CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches (such as market-based systems) into NRCS technical manuals or guides, or to the private sector. CIG does not fund research projects. Instead, it is a vehicle to stimulate the development and adoption of conservation approaches or technologies that have been studied sufficiently to indicate a likelihood of success and to be candidates for eventual technology transfer or institutionalization. CIG funds projects targeting innovative on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations. This notice announces the availability of up to $150,000 of CCC funds during fiscal year 2008 for the State of Washington Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program. Grants to eligible entities and individuals may not exceed a maximum of $50,000 each. Washington State funds will be awarded through a statewide competitive grants process. Applications are requested from eligible government or non-government organizations or individuals for competitive consideration of grant awards for single or multi-year projects. The full announcement sets forth the applicant and project eligibility requirements, application procedures, and grant award criteria for proposed projects. NRCS will accept applications for single or multi-year projects, not to exceed three years, submitted to NRCS from eligible entities, including Federally-recognized Indian Tribes, State and local governments, and non-governmental organizations and individuals. Applications will only be accepted for projects that will take place in Washington State.

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