EQIP FY 2024 Ranking Criteria for Rhode Island Urban Agriculture

Applicability

Do the Planned Land Units (PLU) intersect the boundaries of the RI Urban Ag Areas map layer?

1. YES — Points: 0
2. Otherwise — Points: 0

Category Question

Is the Planned Land Unit (PLU) located in Rhode Island?

1. Yes — Points: 0
2. Otherwise — Points: 0

Program Questions

1. Is the land permanently protected through a CONSERVATION EASEMENT, purchase of development rights or other mechanism?
   1. Yes — Points: 20
   2. Otherwise — Points: 0
2. Does the applicant meet the NRCS definition of a Historically Underserved (HU) producer as identified in the CPA-1200?
   1. YES — Points: 60
   2. NO — Points: 0
3. Did the applicant apply for funding in Fiscal Year 2023 but was previously NOT funded?
   1. YES — Points: 70
   2. NOT APPLICABLE — Points: 0
4. If this application is approved for funding, will this be the applicant's first EQIP contract?
   1. YES — Points: 50
   2. NOT APPLICABLE — Points: 0
5. Has the participant been in contract violation with a prior USDA NRCS Contract within the past 3 years?
   1. YES — Points: -100
   2. NO — Points: 0

Resource Questions

1. Does the schedule of operations include implementation of practices that address at least one of these priority resource categories?
   1. Concentrated Erosion — Points: 10
   2. Degraded Plant Condition — Points: 35
   3. Soil Quality Limitations — Points: 20
   4. Weather Resilience — Points: 30
   5. Source Water Depletion — Points: 30
   6. Terrestrial Habitat — Points: 20
   7. Not Applicable — Points: 0
2. Will this application result in the installation of a High Tunnel System (CPS 325)?
   1. YES — Points: 10
   2. NO — Points: 0
3. Does the application include practices that will move or exclude animals at least 35 feet from surface water, wetlands, or other sensitive areas?
   1. YES — Points: 5
   2. NO — Points: 0
4. Does the Conservation Plan include one or more conservation practices from the Climate-Smart Ag & Forestry Mitigation Activities List (FY24 Version)? 
   1. 3+ Climate Smart practices are planned — Points: 10
   2. 1 or 2 Climate Smart practices are planned — Points: 5
   3. Zero (0) Climate Smart practices are planned — Points: 0
5. What is the distance from the Planned Land Unit (PLU) to water bodies including streams, ponds, lakes, estuaries all surface waters?
   1. PLU is 100 ft or less from waterbody — Points: 10
   2. PLU is 100-500 ft from waterbody — Points: 8
   3. PLU is 500-1000 ft from a waterbody — Points: 2
   4. Otherwise — Points: 0
6. Is the Planned Land Unit (PLU) 100 feet or less from the edge of the wetland?
   1. PLU is 100 ft or less from the edge of the wetland — Points: 5
   2. Otherwise — Points: 0
7. Does the Planned Land Unit (PLU) include Prime and State Importance Soils?
   1. Yes — Points: 5
   2. Otherwise — Points: 0
8. Are the Planned Land Units (PLUs) in a targeted source water watershed?
   1. Yes — Points: 5
   2. Otherwise — Points: 0
9. Is the project in one of the source water priority watersheds?
   1. Yes — Points: 5
   2. Otherwise — Points: 0