The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced on August 6 that the agency will award up to $360 million for partner-driven conservation efforts through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The program offers between $250,000 to $10 million per project for locally-driven, public/private partnerships that improve water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat, and protect agricultural viability. Partners are expected to meet or exceed the RCPP funding with matching investments in the project.

“RCPP brings an expanded approach to investing in natural resource conservation that empowers local communities to work with multiple partners and agricultural producers to design solutions that work best for them,” said NRCS Chief Matthew Lohr.

NRCS made some changes to the RCPP Critical Conservation Areas during program review after the most recent Farm Bill passed in 2018. The changes to the CCAs include combining the California Bay-Delta and Columbia River CCAs into the Western Waters CCA that also includes the Klamath River Basin and the Puget Sound Basin. A new CCA was also added for Northeast Forests and Waters with priority resource concerns of water quality and wildlife habitat. The boundaries of the new CCA include Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Project proposals should be submitted by eligible lead partners by November 4, 2020. A webinar with general program information for RCPP applicants is scheduled for 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Aug 27, 2020. Visit the RCPP website for information on how to participate.