IRA-EQIP FY 2024 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

Planners must review the CPA-1200 (Application) and select at least ONE. Use the CPA-1200 to verify eligibility for SDFR and BFR. SDFR and BFR applicants CAN compete in MULTIPLE categories. Select ALL that apply.

1. Applicant self-certifies as a beginning farmer or rancher BFR on the NRCS-CPA-1200 – Points: N/A
2. Applicant self-certifies as a socially disadvantaged farmer SDFR or rancher on the NRCS-CPA-1200 – Points: N/A
3. Applicant Does Not Qualify or Self Identify. General Category for ALL FARMERS/APPLICANTS – Points: N/A

Program Questions

1. Does the applicant meet the NRCS definition of a veteran farmer or rancher (VFR)?
   1. YES – Points: 20
   2. NO – Points: 0
2. Did the applicant participate in the CRP Transition Incentives Program (TIP), and land included in the CSP application has come out of CRP within the last two years?
   1. YES – Points: 5
   2. NO – Points: 0
3. Is the land permanently protected through a CONSERVATION EASEMENT, purchase of development rights or other mechanism?
   1. YES – Points: 30
   2. NO – Points: 0
4. 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: 65
   2. NOT APPLICABLE – Points: 0
5. If this application is approved for funding, will this be the applicant's first EQIP contract?
   1. YES – Points: 50
   2. NO – Points: 0
6. Select the applicable Historically Underserved (HU) category identified on the NRCS-CPA-1200, Conservation Program Application: Select MULTIPLE if applicable.
   1. Applicant self-certified as a Limited Resource Farmer Rancher (LFR) – Points: 10
   2. Applicant self-certified as a Socially Disadvantaged Farmer Rancher (SDFR) – Points: 10
   3. Applicant self-certified as a Beginning Farmer (BFR) – Points: 10
   4. Applicant Does Not Qualify or Self Identify – Points: 0
7. Has the participant been in contract violation with any prior USDA NRCS Contract within the past 3 years?
   1. YES – Points: -200
   2. NO – Points: 0

Resource Questions

1. Does the Conservation Plan include one or more conservation practices from the FY2024 Climate-Smart Ag & Forestry Mitigation Activities list?
   1. 4+ CORE Climate practices are planned – Points: 100
   2. 3 CORE Climate practices are planned – Points: 80
   3. 2 CORE Climate practices are planned – Points: 60
   4. 1 CORE Climate practices are planned – Points: 40
   5. Not applicable – Points: -200
2. 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: 30
   2. PLU is 100-500 ft from waterbody – Points: 20
   3. PLU is 500-1000 ft from a waterbody – Points: 15
   4. Otherwise – Points: 0
3. 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
4. Does the Planned Land Unit (PLU) include Prime and State Importance Soils?
   1. Yes - PLU contains prime or state important soils – Points: 40
   2. Otherwise – Points: 0
5. Based on the source water dashboard, is the Planned Land Unit (PLU) located in a -high- targeted source water watershed?
   1. Yes – Points: 15
   2. Otherwise – Points: 0
6. Is the project in one of the source water priority watersheds?
   1. Yes – Points: 5
   2. Otherwise – Points: 0