EQIP FY 2023 Ranking Criteria for Rhode Island Large Oyster Reef Restoration

Applicability

Is the application for restoration with LARGE oysters; AND are the restoration site and farm in the same bio-security zone? AND HAS THE PRODUCER SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED REEF RESTORATION UNDER USDA NRCS EQIP IN THE PAST? The eligible bio-security zone in FY2023 is West Bay (Bissel) ONLY.

1. YES — Points: 0
2. NO — Points: 0

Category Question 

Select the bio-security zone for your project: (Planners to review the bio-security layer in CD against their project location.) Select only ONE.

1. West Bay (Bissel) — Points: 0
2. Not Eligible for FY23 — Points: 0

Program Questions 

1. If the applicant self-certified as a Beginning Farmer Rancher (BFR), how many years have they been farming? Choose only ONE response.
   1. 0-3 — Points: 6
   2. 4-6 — Points: 8
   3. 7-10 — Points: 10
   4. Not Applicable — Points: 0
2. Did the applicant self-certify as a Veteran Farmer or Rancher (VFR)?
   1. YES — Points: 15
   2. NO — Points: 0
3. Did the applicant self-certify as a Limited Resource Farmer or Rancher (LFR)?
   1. YES — Points: 10
   2. NO — Points: 0
4. Did the applicant self-certify as a Socially Disadvantaged Farmer or Rancher (SDFR)?
   1. YES — Points: 10
   2. NO — Points: 0
5. At what point was the application supplied to NRCS staff? Points are based on the application date as applied in ProTracts. Choose only ONE answer.
   1. Timeframe A: applications submitted prior to 10/7/2022 (this does NOT include deferred 2022 applications) — Points: 15
   2. Timeframe B: 10/8 -10/21 — Points: 13
   3. Timeframe C: 10/22 -11/4 — Points: 11
   4. Timeframe D: 11/5-11/18 — Points: 9
   5. Timeframe E: 11/19-12/2 — Points: 6
   6. Timeframe F: 12/3-12/16 — Points: 4
   7. Deferred application — Points:20
6. Did the participant demonstrate success in prior performance in the number of deployed oysters? SELECT ONLY ONE success level, as applicable.
   1. Prior performance: Was the average number of oysters deployed greater than 275,000 oysters per year during the 3 highest performing years of the previously completed practice? (Rounded at the nearest 1000.) — Points: 85
   2. Prior performance: Was the average number of oysters deployed within the range of 250,000 - 275,000 during the 3 highest performing years of the previously completed practice? (Rounded at the nearest 1000.) — Points: 75
   3. Prior performance: Was the average number of oysters deployed at least the target (225,000 oysters per year) and less than 250,000 during the 3 highest performing years of the previously completed practice? (Rounded at the nearest 1000.) — Points: 70
   4. Prior Performance: Participant did NOT meet minimum size threshold during the 3 highest performing years of the previously completed practice. Points: -25
   5. Not Applicable — Points: 0
7. Did the participant demonstrate success in prior performance in the average size of deployment? 
   1. Prior performance: Was the greatest proportion of oysters deployed greater than 1 inch during the 3 highest performing years of the previously completed practice? — Points: 50
   2. Prior performance: Was the greatest proportion of oysters deployed greater than the minimum size threshold (0.5 inches), but less than 1 inch during the 3 highest performing years of the previously completed practice? — Points: 25
   3. Prior Performance: Participant did NOT meet minimum size threshold during the 3 highest performing years of the previously completed practice. — Points: -25
   4. Not Applicable Points: 0
8. Has the participant been in contract violation with any prior USDA NRCS Contract?
   1. Yes — Points: -50
   2. No — Points: 0

Resource Questions 

1. Is the participant willing to use preferred lineage(s) for the oyster restoration? Choose ONE response. Note: The participant must self-certify that they will meet these requirements. Not meeting the requirements will be considered a contract violation. 
   1. Participant will use a preferred oyster lineage(s) in their restoration AND will keep lineages separated until deployment — Points: 95
   2. Participant will use a preferred oyster lineage(s) in their restoration BUT WILL NOT be able to keep the lineages separated until deployment — Points: 85
   3. Participant will NOT use a preferred oyster lineage(s) in their restoration however, they WILL keep lineages separated until deployment — Points: 75
   4. Participant will NOT use a preferred oyster lineage(s) in their restoration and they are NOT WILLING to keep lineages separated until deployment — Points: 0
2. Is the participant willing to use a higher percentage of oyster shell in the bags used to set larvae? Note: planner must notify participant that if they answer "yes", not meeting this criteria will be considered a violation of the contract.
   1. Participant will use 75-100% oyster shells in the bags used to set larvae — Points: 55
   2. Participant will use greater than 50-75% oyster shells in the bags used to set larvae — Points: 35
   3. Participant is NOT interested in participating under this criteria — Points: 10
3. In the last seven years, has the participant partnered with RI DEM DMF, URI, RWU, or TNC on research or adaptive management activities focusing on genetic diversity or specific lineage performance in restoration planning? This does NOT apply to compliance or USDA pathology monitoring.
   1. YES — Points: 10
   2. NO — Points: 0
4. At the time of application (FY2023), is the participant able to show proof of having had a Commercial Fishing Vessel Dockside Safety Exam (inspection) in the form of a certificate and/or a decal affixed to the vessel that has been performed in the year of NRCS application, OR an inspection is planned for the year of oyster deployment, OR both?
   1. Participant has a current/non-expired Commercial Fishing Vessel Dockside Safety Certification, and agrees to maintain a current certification throughout the life of the EQIP contract — Points: 20
   2. Participant will obtain a Commercial Fishing Vessel Dockside Safety Certification prior to first deployment, and this certification will be maintained throughout the life of the EQIP contract — Points: 15
   3. Participant has a current/non-expired Commercial Fishing Vessel Dockside Safety Certification but cannot commit to maintaining this certification throughout the life of the EQIP contract — Points: 10
   4. Participant does not currently have and is not interested in obtaining a Commercial Fishing Vessel Dockside Safety Certification — Points: 0
5. Is the participant willing to have a random inspection of their restoration bags?
   1. YES — Points: 20
   2. NO — Points: 0