Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
The primary objective of this program is to contribute technical assistance and financial resources to private landowners to restore, conserve, and protect natural resources in the Gulf Coast Region. Technical assistance is provided for conservation planning, design and implementation of restoration practices for eligible participants. Payments may be made to implement one or more eligible structural, vegetative, and land management restoration practices.
The USDA program has focused on decreasing nutrient and sediment runoff on private agricultural and forested lands as a strategy for improving water quality in the Gulf. The expected return on investments are improved water quality, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Land/Property Owner
- U.S. Federal Government
- Nonprofit Organization
Private landowners addressing natural resources concerns in the Gulf Coast Region in response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. A participant may be an owner, landlord, operator, or tenant of eligible agricultural lands or non-industrial forestlands.
Beneficiaries
- Land/Property Owner
- Farmer / Rancher / Agriculture Producer
Beneficiaries are the people, wildlife, and natural resources of the Gulf Coast region.
How to Apply
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program.
Program participation is voluntary. The applicant applies at the local USDA Service Center on Form NRCS-CPA-1200. Applications may be filed at any time during the year.
Award Procedure
NRCS will give special consideration to applicants that address priority natural resource concerns designated. Applications will be periodically ranked and selected for funding based on locally developed ranking process.
Decision Timeline
- Approval: From 60 to 90 days
Program details & compliance
Description
The primary objective of this program is to contribute technical assistance and financial resources to private landowners to restore, conserve, and protect natural resources in the Gulf Coast Region. Technical assistance is provided for conservation planning, design and implementation of restoration practices for eligible participants. Payments may be made to implement one or more eligible structural, vegetative, and land management restoration practices.
Mission Categories
Primary: Land and Forest Conservation
Other categories:
Agricultural Resource Conservation and DevelopmentWater ConservationFish and Wildlife Preservation
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Technical assistance is provided for conservation planning, design and implementation of restoration practices for eligible participants. Payments may be made to implement one or more eligible structural, vegetative, and land management restoration practices. Assistance can be used to plan and implement conservation and restoration practices implementation through financial and technical assistance.
The primary objective of this program is to provide technical and financial assistance to private landowners for the purpose of restoring and protecting the natural resources, ecosystems, and wildlife habitats of the Gulf Coast region using the best available science.
Required Documentation
For eligible entities: evidence of capacity to provide technical assistance to private landowners and/or implement restoration practices according to USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service standards and procedures.
For private landowners: evidence that applicant has control over the land to be entered into a contract and submits an acceptable conservation plan for the farm or ranch unit of concern that incorporates needed natural resource conservation practices and provides either a social security number or individual tax identification number of all proposed beneficiaries.
Matching Requirements
Landowners are required to contribute cost over conversation practice schedule.
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