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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.
100% discretionary funding.
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. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.
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
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program.
Award Procedures
New contracts were accepted in FY 2015. Current contracts remain in effect with payments being made until the expiration date.
Deadlines
Not Applicable.
Authorization
Water Bank Act, Public Law 91-559, 16 U.S.C 1301-1311.
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
In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, non-Federal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503. 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 16 $205,000; FY 17 est $189,000; and FY 18 est $0. (Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements or Contracts)) FY 16 $3,923,000; FY 17 est $4,783,000; and FY 18 est $0
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 to eligible participants in the States designated by the Secretary of Agriculture as a participating State.
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
Jeffrey White Natural Resources Conservation Service 1400 Independence Ave, SW; Room 5237-S, Washington, District of Columbia 20250 Email: Jeffery.White@wdc.usda.gov Phone: (202) 720-1844
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not Applicable.
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