2017 NRCS Conservation Technical Assistance in Vermont

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United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) NRCS delivers conservation technical assistance through its voluntary Conservation Technical Assistance Program (CTA). Conservation technical assistance is the help provided to land users to address opportunities, concerns, and problems related to the use of natural resources to assist land users in making sound natural resource management decisions on private, tribal, and other non-federal lands. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality. Through EQIP farmers may receive financial and technical assistance to install or implement structural or management practices on eligible agricultural land. The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), formerly known as the Farm and Ranch Protection Program (FRPP) and the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), provide financial and technical assistance to help conserve agricultural lands and wetlands and their related benefits. Under the Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) component, NRCS helps American Indian tribes, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations protect working agricultural lands and limit non-agricultural uses of the land. Under the Wetlands Reserve Easements (WRE) component, NRCS helps to restore, protect and enhance enrolled wetlands. NRCS Vermont is looking for eligible applicants to provide assistance with: 1) Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) for Land Treatment Planning and Cartography associated with Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans, EQIP applications (EQIP) and other technical assistance as necessary; 2) Provide planning support for pre-approved EQIP applications and contracts; 3) Farm Bill administrative services with program applicants and contracts (CTA and EQIP); 4) Assist NRCS with on-site and off-site monitoring of Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) , Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP) and Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) Easements; assist NRCS in the development of Agricultural Land Easement (ALE) Plans; assist NRCS in preliminary due-diligence activities and site visits for ACEP applications.

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