United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service		 Washington Go to Accessibility Information
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Grassland Reserve Program
Washington 2004 
Signup and Application Information 


General Program Description

The Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) is a voluntary program that helps landowners and operators restore and protect grassland, including rangeland and pastureland, and certain other lands, while maintaining the areas as grazing lands.

The program emphasizes:
    support for grazing operations,
    plant and animal biodiversity, and
    grasslands under the greatest threat of conversion.

GRP is authorized in the 2002 Farm Bill . The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) administer the program, in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service. Funding for the GRP comes from the Commodity Credit Corporation  (CCC).  Producers can apply at USDA Service Centers in Washington. 

These documents require Adobe Acrobat to view the material.
Use this link to download Adobe Acrobat Adobe Acrobat.

Adobe Acrobat GRP Funding Targets Sage Grouse Habitat Protection in WA   News Release (8-31-2004)
Adobe Acrobat Interim Final Rule - 7CFR 1415, May 21, 2004
Adobe Acrobat News Release (5-11-2004)

Adobe Acrobat Grassland Reserve Program Fact Sheet
Adobe Acrobat Grassland Reserve Program Key Points
Adobe Acrobat Grassland Reserve Program Questions & Answers
Adobe Acrobat Grassland Reserve Program NEPA Documents
 

How Grassland Reserve Program Works

Applications may be filed for a rental agreement or easement with NRCS or FSA at any time. Batching dates are established to evaluate and select applications for funding.  July 23, 2004 is the cutoff date for applications to be considered for this year's allocation of funds.  All applications on file through that date will be evaluated and prioritized for 2004 funding.

Participants voluntarily limit future use of the land while retaining the right to conduct common grazing practices; produce hay, mow, or harvest for seed production (subject to certain restrictions during the nesting season of bird species that are in significant decline or those that are protected under Federal or State law); and conduct fire rehabilitation and construct firebreaks and fences.

The program offers several enrollment options:

Rental Agreement  Participants have the option of choosing a 10-year, 15-year, 20-year, or 30-year easement. USDA will provide annual payments in an amount that is not more than 75 percent of the grazing value of the land covered by the agreement for the life of the agreement. Payments will be disbursed on the agreement anniversary date each year.

Permanent Easement  This is a conservation easement in perpetuity. Easement payments for this option equal the fair market value, less the grazing value of the land encumbered by the easement. These values will be determined using an appraisal process.

30-year Easement  USDA will provide an easement payment equal to 30 percent of the fair market value of the land, less the grazing value of the land for the period during which the land is encumbered by the easement.

For both easement options, USDA will provide all administrative costs associated with recording the easement, including appraisal fees, survey costs, title insurance, and recording fees. Easement payments may be provided, at the participant’s request, in lump sum or annual payments (equal or unequal amounts) for up to 10 years.

Restoration agreement  If restoration is determined necessary by NRCS, a restoration agreement will be incorporated within the rental agreement or easement. CCC will provide up to 90 percent of the restoration costs on lands that have never been cultivated, and up to 75 percent of the cost on restored grasslands. Participants will be paid upon certification of the completion of the approved practice(s) by NRCS or an approved third party. Participants may contribute to the application of a cost-share practice through in-kind contributions.

Ranking Criteria

Applications will be evaluated and selected based on state ranking criteria.  For 2004, emphasis will be placed on enrollment of existing high quality native grasslands that require no restoration cost and have the greatest biodiversity and the greatest risk of conversion to other agricultural uses and/or non-agricultural use.

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Adobe Acrobat Washington State Rental Rates
Adobe Acrobat Washington State FY2004 Ranking Criteria
Adobe Acrobat Grassland Reserve Program Instructions and Definitions
        Supplemental Material:
            Adobe Acrobat Natural Species List
            Adobe Acrobat Soil Series List
            Adobe Acrobat Population List

Eligibility

Landowners who can provide clear title are eligible to submit an application for either easement option. Landowners and others who have general control of the acreage may submit an application for a rental agreement.

The Adjusted Gross Income provision of the 2002 Farm Bill impacts eligibility for GRP and several other 2002 Farm Bill programs. 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.

Eligible land includes grassland or land that contains forbs or shrubs (including improved rangeland and pastureland); and grassland or land that is located in an area that historically has been dominated by grassland, forbs, and shrubs and has potential to provide habitat for animal or plant populations of significant ecological value if the land is retained in its current use or restored to a natural condition. Incidental lands may be included to allow for the efficient administration of an agreement or easement.

To Apply:

Application signup is an ongoing process and can be done online or completed at your local USDA Service Center with NRCS or FSA.

 Documents require Adobe Acrobat Adobe Acrobat to view the material.

Adobe Acrobat Application form (AD-1153)
Adobe Acrobat Form CCC0920, Grassland Reserve Program Contract
Adobe Acrobat Form CCC0920 Appendix, Grassland Reserve Program Contract

At time of application, NRCS will provide landowner(s) with the following:

·    GRP Warranty Easement Deed for 30-Year Easements (CCC-1255-GRP-30)                     http://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/eforms/Forms/CCC1255GRP30.pdf

·    GRP Warranty Easement Deed for Permanent Easements (CCC1255)  http://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/eforms/Forms/CCC1255GRP.pdf

·     Subordination Agreement and Limited Lien Waiver (AD-1158).  http://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/eforms/Forms/AD1158.pdf

·      Option Agreement to Purchase (AD-1157) and Amendment 1 (AD-1157A)
http://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/eforms/Forms/AD1157.pdf
http://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/eforms/Forms/AD1157A.pdf

For More Information

Please contact your local USDA Service Center office.

NRCS WA State Contact:
Dave Brown,
Assistant State Conservationist for Programs,
509-323-2971

Jeff Kuhlmann,
Resource Conservationist, Farm Bill Program Specialist,
509-323-2975.
 

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