EQIP FY2023 Ranking Criteria for Rhode Island National Water Quality Initiative

FY 2023 RI NWQI - SAKONNET RIVER WATERSHED

Applicability Question

Does the Planned Land Unit (PLU) intersect the National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) layer of watersheds by 50% or greater?

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

Category Question

Does the Planned Land Unit (PLU) intersect the National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) layer of watersheds by 50% or greater?

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. NO - 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: 70
   2. NO - Points: 0
3. Did the applicant apply for funding in Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 but was previously NOT funded?
   1. YES - Points: 60
   2. NO - 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

Resource Questions 

1. Does the Planned Land Unit (PLU) intersect the critical source area layer(s) for NWQI watersheds?
   1. Yes - Points: 70
   2. Otherwise - Points: 0
2. Does the schedule of operations include implementation of "CORE" conservation practices that address one or more of the priority resource concerns? 
   1. Field Sediment, Nutrient, and Pathogen Loss - Points: 25
   2. Concentrated Erosion - Points: 10
   3. Storage and Handling of Pollutants - Points: 35
   4. Not Applicable - Points: 0
3. Does the Conservation Plan include one or more conservation practices from the Climate-Smart Ag & Forestry Mitigation Activities List (FY23 Version)?
   1. 3+ Climate Smart practices are planned - Points: 15
   2. 1 or 2 Climate Smart practices are planned - Points: 10
   3. Zero (0) Climate Smart practices are planned - Points: 0
4. 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 feet or less from waterbody - Points: 30
   2. PLU is 101-500 feet from waterbody - Points: 20
   3. PLU is 501-1000 feet from a waterbody - Points: 10
   4. Otherwise - Points: 0
5. Is the Planned Land Unit (PLU) 100 feet or less from the edge of the wetland?
   1. PLU is 100 feet or less from the edge of the wetland - Points: 5
   2. Otherwise - Points: 0
6. Does the Planned Land Unit (PLU) include Prime and State Importance Soils?
   1. Yes - PLU contains prime or state important soils - Points: 5
   2. Otherwise - Points: 0
7. Does the Planned Land Unit (PLU) intersect the RI Groundwater classification GAA area?
   1. Yes - Points: 5
   2. Otherwise - Points: 0