(USDA/NRCS) The Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program (FSCP) was established by the 2018 Farm Bill to respond to the threat feral swine pose to agriculture, native ecosystems, and human and animal health. USDA is focusing efforts through this pilot where feral swine pose the highest threat.
Program at a Glance
FSCP is implemented jointly by NRCS and USDA’s Animal and Plant Health and Inspection Service (APHIS). Total funding for the program is $75 million over the life of the 2018 Farm Bill.
Pilot projects will consist broadly of three coordinated components: 1) feral swine removal by APHIS; 2) restoration efforts supported by NRCS; and 3) assistance to producers for feral swine control provided through partnership agreements with non-federal partners.
Projects can last for one to three years. This year, NRCS will invest up to $1.5 million per project with at least a 25 percent match.
Who is Eligible
The activities of FSCP? are to be conducted in pilot areas where feral swine have been identified as a threat, as determined by the Secretary. APHIS and NRCS have determined to limit at least the first round of pilot projects in select areas of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Oklahoma, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. APHIS has determined these states and California have highest feral swine populations.
This call for proposals is intended for non-federal partners to provide landowner assistance for on-farm trapping and provide related services as part of the pilot projects described above. Funding for these services will be provided through partnership agreements between partners and NRCS.
A total of 20 pilot projects across 10 states have been identified as eligible for the first round of funding. Additional Information about the pilot projects, including maps, project specifics, expected partner roles, and contacts for APHIS and NRCS at the state level, can be found in the below table.Â
A total of 20 pilot projects across 10 states have been identified as eligible for the first round of funding. Additional Information about the pilot projects, including maps, project specifics, expected partner roles, and contacts for APHIS?and NRCS at the state level, can be found in the below table.
| Project Name and Description | State | Counties/Parishes |
|---|---|---|
| Gulf Coast | Alabama | Baldwin, Escambia |
| Wiregrass | Alabama | Houston, Henry, Geneva |
| Black Belt | Alabama | Sumter |
| Ozark | Arkansas | Marion, Baxter, Izard, Boone, Searcy, Fulton |
| Southeast | Arkansas | Drew, Ashley, Arkansas, Desha, Chicot |
| Southwest | Arkansas | Sevier, Howard, Hempstead, Pike, Clark, Nevada |
| West RV | Arkansas | Sebastian, Logan, Yell, Pope, Scott |
| FL/GA | Florida | Jefferson, Leon |
| Albany | Georgia | Calhoun, Baker, Terrell, Dougherty |
| GA/FL | Georgia | Grady, Thomas, Brooks |
| Louisiana | Louisiana | Red River, Natchitoches, Winn, Grant, Rapides, Madison, Tensas, Concordia, Cameron, Calcasieu |
| Mississippi | Mississippi | Issaquena, Sharkey, Warren, Yazoo |
| North Carolina | North Carolina | Sampson |
| Kay County | Oklahoma | Kay |
| Red River/TX | Oklahoma | Cotton, Tillman, Jackson, Harmon |
| Hampton | South Carolina | Hampton |
| Newberry | South Carolina | Newberry |
| Canadian River | Texas | Potter, Hartley, Oldham |
| Leon | Texas | Eastland, Erath, Comanche |
| Red River OK | Texas | Hardeman, Wilbarger, Wichita, Clay |
How to Apply
To be considered for funding, proposals must address the needs of identified pilot projects listed above. Applications must be submitted electronically through grants.gov by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Aug. 19, 2019. In addition, a PDF of the complete application must be emailed to lacey.williamson@usda.gov. Both submissions must be received by the time and date due. Late submissions will not be reviewed or considered. More information is available on grants.gov . Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication (e.g., Braille, large print, or audio tape) should contact the USDA TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
For More Information
Questions about this announcement can be directed to lacey.williamson@usda.gov or (202) 619 – 8569. Questions about specific pilot projects may be directed to NRCS State contacts which can be found on the project description page links in the above table on this page.
Source: USDA/NRCS