Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)

"Updated "01/26/2006

Implementation of WHIP in Washington State for FY2006

The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) is a national program, administered by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), that was established by the 1996 Farm Bill to provide technical and financial assistance to non-federal landowners and Tribes to develop, restore, and enhance fish and wildlife habitats. The 2002 Farm Bill strengthened the program by authorizing 700 million dollars in program funds through 2007.

Goals and Objectives  

In Washington State, WHIP will be used on lands where fish and wildlife habitat has been negatively impacted by agricultural activities, urban development, or invasive species.  The major objectives of the WHIP in Washington include:

1. Provide technical assistance to eligible private, state and local governmental landowners and Tribes, for developing and implementing Wildlife Habitat Developmental Plans (WHDP) that include conservation practices authorized for use in WHIP.

2. Provide cost-share payments, through cost-share agreements, not to exceed 75% of the installation cost for projects that benefit upland wildlife habitats, riparian habitat, small wetlands, and threatened and endangered species habitat (including animal and plants).

3. Educate program participants and the public through wildlife habitat restoration/enhancement projects. Completed WHIP projects will be used as demonstration sites, success stories, and discussion points with conservation groups and schools.

4. Enter into cooperative agreements with partners for implementation of Special Projects or projects that involve multiple landowners.

5. Utilize Technical Service Providers to assist with the implementation of wildlife habitat development plans.

The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program is administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service in consultation with the State Technical Committee. Through the use of the State Technical Committee the following priorities have been established for the implementation of WRP in Washington State.

Washington State WHIP Priorities

Restoration of native vegetation on:
·   Primary Habitats selected from the Priority Habitats and Species list of the Washington State Department of
    Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)
·   Secondary Habitats identified by the State Technical Advisory Committee

Habitat Improvement for Targeted Wildlife Species:
·    Federal or State Threatened and Endangered Species and associated critical habitats
·    Federal or State Candidate Species
·    Species identified as Priority Habitat Species (PHS) by WDFW

 Note:  Habitat restoration must directly benefit one or more threatened, endangered, candidate, or priority animal species.

Partnerships

The informal partnership between NRCS, United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) provides program participants with a more complete package of technical expertise in:

1. Identifying priority habitats, potential large scale restoration areas, and species of concern

2. Developing Wildlife Habitat Development Plans (WHDP)

3. Designing and implementing wildlife habitat restoration and enhancement activities identified in the WHDP

The NRCS has a long history of working with landowners to improve ecological conditions on farms and ranches. Extensive expertise has been developed in evaluating natural resources and developing the appropriate treatment plans to successfully improve or restore wildlife habitat.

The WDFW and USFWS have developed expertise in prioritizing and addressing fish and wildlife needs.  The WDFW has identified Priority Habitats and associated Priority Habitat Species within the State of Washington.  This information has been used to prioritize those habitats and species that the WHIP will address.

Through the WHIP partnership, the NRCS, WDFW and USFWS will work closely with existing and new partners to deliver a public information and education program to inform landowners and land managers of the ecological and economic importance of sound wildlife habitat management.  Partners will be encouraged to provide onsite technical and financial assistance for restoring and enhancing habitat conditions.

Fund Distribution

The distribution of financial assistance will be split into separate allocations for each NRCS administrative area. The Central, East and West Areas will each receive an equal allocation of financial assistance funds.  If an Area is unable to fully obligate their obligation, the un-obligated funds will be redistributed to the other Areas.

Each Area may utilize up to 30% of their allocation, with concurrence from the Assistant State Conservationist for Programs (ASTC-P) to address special projects that they consider a priority not identified in this plan.

Application Process

The application process is a continuous process throughout the year.  Eligible applicants may apply for WHIP financial assistance by filing a CCC-1200 form:

• At any USDA NRCS Service Center by phone, email, fax, or letter.

• The applicants signature and date are required on the CCC-1200 and Appendix.

• Applicant must have a current AD-1026 on file with their local FSA Office.

• Applicant must be eligible under the Adjusted Gross Income limit.  Self certify using form CCC-526.

Application Ranking and Selection

Annually, NRCS establishes a cutoff date for applications to be evaluated and ranked for current year funding.  The cutoff date for Fiscal Year 2006 is December 30,2005.  Any applications received after December 30, 2005 will be held for evaluation for Fiscal Year 2007 funding.


Access the following FY06 WHIP materials:
            •   Applicant Questionnaire
            •    Eligible Practices
            •    Cost List
            •    Ranking Criteria
            •    Ranking Criteria Worksheet
           

WHIP Ranking

WHIP applications in Washington State will be ranked according to the ranking criteria for the location of the land offered for WHIP.  The ranking criteria are specific to lands in Central, Eastern and Western Washington for FY 2006.

Wildlife Habitat Development Plan (WHDP)

NRCS works with participants to develop a Wildlife Habitat Development Plan addressing the participant's identified wildlife resource needs.  The plan must contain all essential practices needed to meet FOTG Quality Criteria for conservation management systems and NPPH planning policy specifically as it relates to the participant's wildlife resources.  Treatment of all natural resources is encouraged.

Conservation Program Agreement

Actual cost-shares for practices included in an approved WHIP Conservation Program Agreement will be based on the approved WHIP cost list in the Field Office Technical Guide.  The applicant will be provided a copy of the WHDP, practice specifications and designs to follow for implementation of the WHIP Conservation Agreement.

Contact

Dave Brown,
Assistant State Conservationist (Programs)
(509) 323-2971;  Alt Phone: (509) 994-9805
E-mail: david.brown@wa.usda.gov

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