Wetland Mitigation Banking Program
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
The Wetland Mitigation Banking Program supports the establishment and development of agricultural wetland mitigation banks to make credits available to producers. These credits help producers meet their wetland conservation compliance responsibilities to maintain eligibility for many USDA programs administered by the FSA and NRCS, and maintain eligibility for the Federal crop insurance premium subsidy administered by the USDA Risk Management Agency.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Other
Proposals will be accepted from applicants in any of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), and the Pacific Islands Area (Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). NRCS will accept proposals from eligible entities that include federally recognized Native American tribal governments; state and local units of government; for-profit entities; nonprofits with or without a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS other than institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; and public and State-controlled institutions of higher education.
Beneficiaries
- Other
Mitigation banks established through this program are for the explicit and sole purpose of assisting agricultural producers with wetland conservation compliance, also known as Swampbuster compliance, through other USDA programs.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
NRCS uses a grant agreement to provide program funds to each selected applicant. The project budget period, amount of Federal assistance, terms and conditions of the award, and reporting requirements are described and provided to the selected applicants as part of this process.
Program details & compliance
Description
NRCS will seek applications to establish wetland mitigation banks for agriculture producers. The intent of the program is for qualified third-party wetland bankers to operate and manage all aspects of a wetland mitigation bank, with oversight by NRCS. Specific funding uses and restrictions will be identified in an agreement between NRCS and those selected to receive the funding.
Mission Categories
Primary: Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation
Other categories:
Water ConservationLand and Forest ConservationFish and Wildlife Preservation
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
The intent of the program is for qualified third parties to operate and manage all aspects of a wetland mitigation bank with oversight by NRCS.
Restrictions
Program funds shall only be used for third parties to establish agricultural wetland mitigation banks for use by USDA producers to mitigate small temporary and seasonal cropped wetland. The funds are not to be used to mitigate wetlands solely covered by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.
Required Documentation
Priority will be given to banks located in geographic areas with the largest numbers of individual wetlands and/or wetland compliance producer requests.
Matching Requirements
Recipients must provide a non-Federal funding match amount at least equal to 25 percent of the Federal funding request. Matching funds may be committed by the applicant, project partners, or both and can be a combination of cash and in-kind contributions.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements