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

Applicability

Is the application for a TYPICAL oyster restoration site; AND are the restoration site and farm in the same bio-security zone? Eligible bio-security zone for 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: 10
   2. 4-6 — Points: 8
   3. 7-10 — Points: 6
   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. Is this application for a TYPICAL site; AND is the application DEFERRED from FY2022 Oyster Reef Restoration Initiative (i.e. participant applied to a prior Oyster Reef Initiative but was not selected)?
   1. YES — Points: 85
   2. NO — Points: 0
6. Is this application for a TYPICAL site; AND is the applicant NEW to the EQIP Spat on Shell Oyster Reef Restoration Initiative?
   1. YES — Points: 40
   2. NO — Points: 0
7. At what point was the application supplied to NRCS staff? Points are based on the application date on the CPA-1200 application. Choose only ONE answer.
   1. Timeframe A: applications submitted prior to 10/7/2022 (this does NOT include deferred 2022 applications) — Points: 30
   2. Timeframe B: 10/8 -10/21 — Points: 25
   3. Timeframe C: 10/22 -11/4 — Points: 20
   4. Timeframe D: 11/5-11/18 — Points: 15
   5. Timeframe E: 11/19-12/2 — Points: 10
   6. Timeframe F: 12/3-12/16 — Points: 5
   7. Deferred application — Points: 1
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 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 76-100% Oyster Shells in the bags used to set larvae — Points: 55
   2. Participant will use 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 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 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