Wetland Mitigation Banking Program Investing in Georgia Project

Dan Georgia, USDA-NRCS, Wetland, Wetland Mitigation Banking Program (WMBP)

Last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it is investing $7 million in eight projects to support the development of wetland mitigation banks for agricultural producers through the Wetland Mitigation Banking Program (WMBP). Through wetland mitigation banks, wetlands are restored, created or enhanced, generating credits that can be purchased by producers looking to compensate for unavoidable impacts to wetlands at another …

USDA-NRCS Accepting ACEP Applications

Dan Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE), Agricultural Land Easements (ALE), USDA-NRCS, Wetland

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that funding from the Inflation Reduction Act is being used for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) for fiscal year 2025.?  The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) accepts applications year-round for ACEP Agricultural Land Easements (ACEP-ALE) and Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE). But, interested producers, landowners, and partners should apply by the next two ranking dates, …

Florida Seeks to Speed Up Wetlands Case

Dan Florida, Water, Wetland

(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/March 13. 2024) — Florida is asking a federal judge to speed up a final ruling in a high-stakes case about permitting authority for projects that affect wetlands, as the state sets the stage for a likely appeal. U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss on Feb. 15 ruled that federal officials did not follow required steps in 2020 before transferring …

NRCS Seeking Public Comment on Conservation Practices

Dan Cattle, Conservation, Environment, Livestock, Pasture, USDA-NRCS, Water, Wetland

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to eight national conservation practice standards. Proposed revisions to the national conservation practice standards include: Comments should be submitted via regulations.gov or via mail by March 4, 2024. NRCS regularly reviews all national conservation practices to seek opportunities to increase flexibility and incorporate new technologies to help the nation’s farmers, ranchers, and private …

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Announces Final Project Acquisition List for Rural and Family Lands Protection Program

Dan Agri-Business, Florida, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Forestry, Wetland

(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Nov. 20/2023) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the final project acquisition list for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program following the program’s final public meeting which was held in Tallahassee to create a ranked list of agricultural lands eligible for protection. “Today is an important milestone in our pursuit of preserving Florida’s productive agriculture lands. …

USDA-NRCS in Georgia Announces Sign-Up for Conservation Easements Program

Dan Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE), Agricultural Land Easements (ALE), Conservation, Environment, Georgia, USDA-NRCS, Water, Wetland

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia (NRCS-GA) has announced a sign-up for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) for fiscal year 2024. The ACEP is a program that has two components, known as Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) and Wetlands Reserve Easements (WRE). Georgia State Conservationist Terrance O. Rudolph said, “ACEP is a great way for landowners and eligible entities to conserve, …

Critics View FL Legislation as Potentially Harmful to Wetlands and Everglades Restoration Efforts

Dan Conservation, Environment, Florida, Water, Wetland

(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/June 15, 2023) — Senate leaders weren’t going to let a year-old outburst aimed at state lawmakers go unaddressed. VoteWater, a Treasure Coast group focused on political issues related to restoring the Everglades, is raising cane over the Senate this spring not confirming the reappointment of South Florida Water Management District Governing Board member Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch. “Few people in …

Conservation Easement Program Signup Deadline is Feb. 28 in Florida

Dan Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE), Conservation, Environment, Florida, USDA-NRCS, Water, Wetland

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida wants to remind agricultural landowners in the state who are interested in protecting their land uses with conservation values the fiscal year 2023 application deadline through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) is Tuesday, February 28. NRCS in Florida is accepting applications for the Wetland Reserve Easement (WRE) component of ACEP. The program protects grazing uses and …

Florida Ag Landowners Reminded of Conservation Easement Program Signup Deadline

Dan Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE), Conservation, Environment, Florida, USDA-NRCS, Water, Wetland

Florida agricultural landowners interested in protecting their land uses with conservation values are being reminded about a fiscal year 2023 application deadline through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida is accepting applications for the Wetland Reserve Easement (WRE) component. That sign-up deadline is February 28, 2023. NRCS accepts these applications year-round, but any received after that date …

Gregory as Director of the Office of Florida Agricultural Water Policy

Dan Conservation, Environment, Florida, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Irrigation, Legislative, Regulation, Water, Wetland, WOTUS Act

(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Jan. 18, 2022) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the appointment of West Gregory as the Director of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Water Policy. “I’m honored to appoint West Gregory to lead our Office of Agricultural Water Policy. West Gregory has the unique experience and skillset – having worked …