The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) is a voluntary program that encourages creation of high quality wildlife habitats that support wildlife populations of National, State, Tribal, and local significance. Through WHIP, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides technical and financial assistance to landowners and others to develop upland, wetland, riparian, and aquatic habitat areas on their property. WHIP is reauthorized in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Farm Bill).
Eligibility
Eligible lands under the program are:
• Privately owned land
• Federal land when the primary benefit is on private or Tribal land
• State and local government land on a limited basis
• Tribal land.
Individuals or entities that have an average adjusted gross income exceeding $2.5 million for the three tax years immediately preceding the year the contract is approved are not eligible to receive program benefits or payments. However, an exemption is provided in cases where 75 percent of the adjusted gross income is derived from farming, ranching, or forestry operations.
Land already enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program, Wetlands Reserve
Program, Water Bank Program, Grassland Reserve Program, or Emergency Watershed Protection Program floodplain easement component is not eligible for WHIP. NRCS also may determine land is not eligible if on-site or off-site conditions might undermine the benefits of wildlife habitat development.
Cost-Sharing Rates
Cost-share payments provide financial assistance to encourage producers to implement conservation practices and to adopt land management practices. Financial reimbursement is only available for practices implemented after a contract is signed and can not be used for any work done prior to that time.
Through WHIP, landowner will receive cost-share payments for 75% of the average costs (pre-determined on a state-wide level) of conservation practices to improve and maintain the health of natural resources in the area.
The Application and Funding Process
1. If eligible for the program, a landowner may obtain and submit an application at any USDA Service Center- NRCS office. Applications are accepted continuously throughout the year. The cut-off date for application is typically November-December for the following year’s funding cycle. For example, November 2, 2007 is the cut-off date for funding in 2008.
It is recommended that your application and other paperwork are submitted as early as possible to avoid last-minute complications.
Required forms include:
· NRCS-CPA-1200 WHIP Conservation Program Application and Appendix
· SF-1199A Direct Deposit Sign-up
· AD-1026 HELC and Wetland Certification
· CCC-526 Payment Eligibility Certification
· Copy of the deed or lease to the parcel(s)
If applying as a trust, business, or other non-individual status, additional forms will be necessary.
2. An NRCS conservationist will work with the applicant to develop a Conservation Plan. Conservation Plans are developed in conjunction with the producer and address the producer’s objectives and the identified natural resource concerns. Enrollment in the WHIP program does not exempt the participant from attaining the necessary permits for project implementation.
3. Applications are then ranked according to criteria developed at a State-wide scoring system striving to get the best environmental benefits.
4. Applications are funded beginning at the highest ranked project and continuing until the money is expended. Money is usually distributed in late spring of the contract year.
5. If an application is funded, the participant works with the appropriate NRCS office to finalize and sign a WHIP contract. Following signatures on the contract, contract support documents, and “practice requirement” sheets, the participant may begin to implement the plan of operations.
6. The participant begins implementing the Conservation Plan, according to the schedule of operations. After one or more practices are completed, the participant contacts an NRCS employee to certify the extent and quality of the work. Following an on-site visit, documentation can be submitted for payment of that practice or contract item(s). Reimbursements typically take four weeks to be deposited in the designated account.
