Technical Assistance for Implementing Key Conservation Objectives in Louisiana

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: The Louisiana NRCS, an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is seeking support from natural resource conservation partners to work together to help enhance conservation delivery in Louisiana. The overall intent of this announcement is to solicit partnerships to help enhance the implementation of key conservation objectives and priorities outlined further in this document.Proposals will be accepted from entities delivering conservation programs and services in Louisiana. NRCS anticipates that the total funds available for support of this program in FY 2018 will be up to $5,000,000, subject to availability of funds at time of award. Proposals are requested from eligible entities, non-profits, governmental or non-governmental organizations, and institutions of higher learning for competitive consideration of awards for projects between one and five years in duration.The purpose of this announcement is to advertise opportunities to parties who are interested in partnering with NRCS to provide technical services to address the key conservation objectives and focus areas described below. NRCS will accept applications under this notice for single or multiyear applications submitted by eligible entities based in or with substantial operations in Louisiana.Technical assistance services are defined as: technical expertise, information, training, education, and tools necessary for a producer to be able to successfully implement, operate, and maintain the conservation of natural resources on land active in agricultural, forestry, or related uses. The term includes:• Technical services provided directly to farmers, ranchers, and other eligible entities, such as conservation planning, technical consultation, and assistance with design and implementation of conservation practices; and• Technical infrastructure, including activities, processes, tools, and agency functions needed to support delivery of technical services, such as technical standards, resource inventories, training, data, technology, monitoring, and effects analyses. Information regarding technical assistance can be found at: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cta/ Technical assistance does not include research.Conservation partners are invited to apply for NRCS assistance with projects focused on the following key conservation objectives: 1) Result in completion of land use specific/advanced natural resource plans (i.e. Forestry Management Plans, Highly Erodible Land Conservation Plans, Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans and etc.).2) Development of technical material that allows various groups of participants to gain a better understanding of conservation practice implementation and program opportunity. (i.e. bundles of enhancements in CSP by land type or cropping system.) 3) Provide technical assistance to address critical conservation needs such as the development of conservation plans (including NEPA and cultural resource compliance, engineering plans, economic assessments) and farm bill applications/contract (assistance with application/contract management, engineering designs/checkout). 4) Provide conservation program support assistance in NRCS Field Offices, reducing the burden of program management on conservation planning staff.5) Provide technical assistance to private landowners participating in the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE) and added staff capacity to the NRCS Easement Program Planning and Implementation (EPPI) Team to address critical conservation needs such as education and outreach, servicing applications, application ranking, wetland restoration planning and follow-up assistance, boundary survey certifications, and easement monitoring.6) Provide multi-faceted support for Grazing Land Conservation through outreach, education, and development of innovative technology transfer.7) Provide multi-faceted support for feral swine management and associated resource impact minimization through outreach, education, and emerging techniques.8) Provide outreach to targeted groups such as veterans, minority, women, and limited resources producers and landowners.

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