USDA Requests Proposals for Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative

STILLWATER, OK— The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced the availability of up to $52.4 million of financial assistance funds nationwide for the Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI) for fiscal year (FY) 2009. Areas of CCPI assistance are selected competitively through applications from eligible partners. Eligible partners include State, local, and Tribal governments, producer associations and cooperatives, institutions of higher education, and nongovernmental organizations. Partner proposals must be postmarked and submitted to the appropriate NRCS State Conservationist or to the Chief no later than April 23, 2009.

The CCPI is a voluntary conservation initiative that establishes specific parameters for working with eligible partners to provide financial and technical assistance to owners and operators of agricultural and nonindustrial private forest lands. The assistance provided enables participants to install and maintain conservation practices, including the development and adoption of innovative conservation practices and management approaches. In FY 2009, the aim of CCPI is to deliver EQIP and WHIP assistance to achieve high-priority conservation objectives in geographic areas defined by the partner.

The purpose of the CCPI is to: address conservation priorities on a local, State, multi-State, or regional level; encourage producers to cooperate in meeting regulatory requirements; encourage producers to cooperate in the installation and maintenance of conservation practices that affect multiple operations; or promote the development and demonstration of innovative conservation practices and delivery methods. CCPI is implemented through multi-year agreements, not to exceed 5 years, with partners.

The Notice of Request for Proposals was posted in the Federal Register on March 10, 2009. All information and instructions needed to submit a proposal are found in the notice. Additional program information and a link to the notice are provided from the NRCS web page Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative, or more information can be obtained by contacting your local NRCS Field Service Center. NRCS is an equal opportunity provider and employer. All programs and services of the Natural Resources Conservation Service are provided in a nondiscriminatory manner.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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