IRA-EQIP FY 2023 Ranking Criteria - Rhode Island

Applicability

Will this application address the IRA resource concerns by including at least ONE CORE IRA conservation practice?

1. YES – Points: N/A
2. NO – Points: N/A

Category Question

Please select all applicable Categories (Funding Pools) - MULTIPLE CATEGORIES MAY BE SELECTED

1. IRA EQIP General (all land uses) – Points: N/A
2. IRA EQIP General - SDFR (all land uses) – Points: N/A
3. IRA EQIP General - BFR (all land uses) – Points: N/A
4. Not eligible – Points: N/A

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. Select the applicable Historically Underserved (HU) category identified on the NRCS-CPA-1200, Conservation Program Application: Select MULTIPLE choices, if applicable.
   1. Applicant self-certified as a Veteran Farmer Rancher (VFR) – Points: 10
   2. Applicant self-certified as a Limited Resource Farmer Rancher (LFR) – Points: 10
   3. Applicant self-certified as a Socially Disadvantaged Farmer Rancher (SDFR) – Points: 10
   4. Applicant self-certified as a Beginning Farmer (BFR) – Points: 10
   5. Applicant Does Not Qualify or Self Identify – Points: 0
3. Is this application for EQIP IRA funds and the applicant will NOT be able to be considered under an EQIP General Signup?
   1. YES – Points: 90
   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

Resource Questions

1. Choose the applicable Conservation Practice Point Ratio applicable for the implementation of the CORE Climate Change Mitigation Practice(s) included in the application. Choose ALL that apply.
   1. The land use is CROP, and the Air Quality resource concern is addressed with a practice point score between 20 to 30 under category - Carbon Stock: 328, 340, 390, 391 and/or 528 – Points: 6
   2. The land use is CROP, and the Air Quality resource concern is addressed with a practice point score of 50 or higher under categories - Carbon Stock: 327, 329, 345, 380, 420, 512 and/or 612; OR Nitrogen Fertilizer OR Reactive Nitrogen, Level 1 - Level 4 – Points: 40
   3. The land use is FOREST, and the Air Quality resource concern is addressed with a practice point score between 20 to 30 under category - Carbon Stock: 340, 390, 391 and/or 528 – Points: 4
   4. The land use is FOREST, and the Air Quality resource concern is addressed with a practice point score of 50 or higher under category - Carbon Stock: 327, 420, 512, 612, 657 and/or 666 – Points: 20
   5. The land use is PASTURE, and the Air Quality resource concern is addressed with a practice point score between 20 to 30 under category - Carbon Stock: 340, 390, 391, 528 and/or 657 – Points: 4
   6. The land use is PASTURE, and the Air Quality resource concern is addressed with a practice point score of 50 or higher under category - Carbon Stock: 327, 420, 512 and 612; OR Nitrogen Fertilizer OR Reactive Nitrogen Level 1- 4 – Points: 26
   7. NOT APPLICABLE – Points: -100
2. How many CORE practices are included in the Conservation Plan from the Climate-Smart Ag & Forestry Mitigation Activities list?
   1. 4+ CORE Climate practices are planned – Points: 10
   2. 3 CORE Climate practices are planned – Points: 8
   3. 2 CORE Climate practices are planned – Points: 6
   4. 1 CORE Climate practices are planned – Points: 4
   5. Not applicable – Points: -10
3. 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: 40
   2. PLU is 100-500 ft from waterbody – Points: 30
   3. PLU is 500-1000 ft from a waterbody – Points: 20
   4. Otherwise – Points: 0
4. 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: 10
   2. Otherwise – Points: 0
5. Does the Planned Land Unit (PLU) include Prime and State Importance Soils?
   1. Yes - PLU contains prime or state important soils – Points: 20
   2. Otherwise – Points: 0
6. Are the Planned Land Units (PLUs) in a targeted source water watershed?
   1. Yes – Points: 15
   2. Otherwise – Points: 0
7. Is the project in one of the source water priority watersheds?
   1. Yes – Points: 5
   2. Otherwise – Points: 0