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Water Bank Program
Established in 1862, the Department of Agriculture serves all Americans through anti-hunger efforts, stewardship of nearly 200 million acres of national forest and rangelands, and through product safety and conservation efforts. The USDA opens markets for American farmers and ranchers and provides food for needy people around the world.
For more information on this and other related programs, consult the local telephone directory for location of the NRCS office where your land is located.
If a listing is not present; contact the appropriate State NRCS office listed in the Natural Resources Conservation Service section of Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Program Accomplishments
Not Applicable.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Agreements are for 10 years with eligible landowners to help preserve important nesting, breeding, and feeding areas of migratory waterfowl.
During the agreement, the participants agree in return for annual payments not to drain, burn, fill, or otherwise destroy the wetland character of such areas and not to use areas for agricultural purposes, as determined by the Secretary.
The Secretary carries out the program in harmony with wetlands programs administered by the Secretary of the Interior and uses technical and related services of appropriate State, Federal, and private conservation agencies to assure proper coordination.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
None.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Landowners and operators of specified types of wetlands in designated important migratory waterfowl nesting, breeding and feeding areas.
Credentials/Documentation
Identification as an owner and/or operator of eligible land; a conservation plan developed in cooperation with the local soil and water conservation district; and proof of required compliance. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination is not applicable.
Environmental impact information is not required for this program.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. New contracts are not being accepted. Current contracts remain in effect with payments being made until the expiration date.
Award Procedures
New contracts are not being accepted. Current contracts remain in effect with payments being made until the expiration date.
Deadlines
Not Applicable.
Authorization
Water Bank Act, Public Law 91-559.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
The period officially specified for the program year.
Appeals
Participants may appeal to the National Appeals Division.
Renewals
Not Applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Annual payments will be made for 10 years. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: lump sum.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Not Applicable.
Audits
This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-133. Recipients are subject to audit by Office of Inspector General, USDA.
Records
Maintained in the NRCS office and Federal record centers for a specified number of years.
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-3320-0-1-302.
Obigations
(Salaries) FY 12 $449,290; FY 13 est $3,000; and FY 14 est $48,000. (Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements or Contracts)) FY 12 $6,999,991; FY 13 est $0; and FY 14 est $173,400
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$20 to $50 per acre. Average: $35.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Program regulations published in the Federal Register, 7 CFR Part 752. Program is announced through the news media and in letters to eligible participants in the county area designated by the Secretary of Agriculture as a participating county.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Regional Agency Offices. For more information on this and other related programs, consult the local telephone directory for location of the NRCS office where your land is located. If a listing is not present; contact the appropriate State NRCS office listed in the Natural Resources Conservation Service section of Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Headquarters Office
Dave Mason 1400 Independence Ave, SW
South Building, Room 6238, Washington, District of Columbia 20013 Email: Dave.Mason@wdc.usda.gov Phone: (202) 720-4527
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not Applicable.
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