Soil and Water Conservation Assistance

Questions and Answers

Note: Soil and Water Conservation Assistance (SWCA) is authorized under the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000, Title II, Section 211(b) (Public Law 106-224).

NRCS--Natural Resources Conservation Service
USDA--U.S. Department of Agriculture
SWCA--Soil and Water Conservation Assistance

A. SWCA is available nationwide, but only in areas that are not part of:

• Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) priority areas,
• Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) priority areas, or
• Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) national priority areas.

Q. Where are SWCA applications accepted?

A. SWCA applications will be accepted at local NRCS or conservation district offices. Other agricultural or natural resource agencies may assist with accepting applications. The application (form CCC-1200) is available at the local USDA Service Center or on the Web at www.sc.egov.usda.gov.

Q. What is the maximum cost-share amount allowed for each SWCA contract?

A. The maximum total payment per participant shall not exceed $50,000. The Federal cost share is 75 percent of the cost of an eligible practice.

Q. When will sign-ups begin?

A. Interested landowners may begin submitting SWCA applications under a continuous sign-up. Cutoff dates for ranking the applications will be determined by the NRCS state conservationist in consultation with the State Technical Committee.

Q. Is a conservation plan required?

A. A conservation plan is required for the area covered in the application and becomes the basis for developing the SWCA contract. NRCS will work with the landowner to develop a conservation plan.

Q. Will practices be maintained after contracts expire?

A. Landowners must agree to maintain cost-shared practices for the life of the practice, which may extend beyond the end of the contract. USDA hopes SWCA participants will want to continue to voluntarily address threats to soil, water, and related natural resources on their farm or ranch.

Q. What land is eligible for SWCA?

A. The following land is eligible for SWCA:

• Cropland,
• Hayland,
• Pasture and rangeland,
• Land used for subsistence purposes, and
• Other land (such as forestland) that produces crops or livestock where there is a serious threat to soil, water, or related natural resources.

Q. When are payments made?

A. Participants will be paid upon certification that the approved practice has been completed according to NRCS standards and specifications.

Q. Who determines which applications are funded?

A. Applications are selected based on a state-developed ranking and selection process. The ranking criteria will:

• Address threats to soil, water, and related natural resources, including grazing land, wetlands, and wildlife habitat.
• Comply with Federal and state environmental laws.
• Make beneficial, cost-effective changes to cropping systems, grazing management, nutrient management, irrigation, land use, or other measures needed to conserve and improve natural resources.

Q. Is additional information available on SWCA?

A. NRCS or your local conservation district can provide more information. Your USDA Service Center is listed in the telephone book under U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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