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RCPP - RI Forest Health Works - FY 2024 Ranking Criteria for US-Held Easements

Applicability Question 

Did the participant apply for RCPP project #2526 known as the RI Forest Health Works, and has provided proof of ownership? 

  1. YES – Points: 0
  2. NO – Points: 0

Category Question 

Please select the most applicable category:

  1. Providence Water Reservoir – Points: 0
  2. State of Rhode Island – Points: 0

Program Questions 

  1. OUTCOMES: Application directly addresses one or more resource concerns for which outcome metrics have been included in the PPA Attachment E? (Minimum 40 points)
    1. Proposed acres is greater than 90% forested – Points: 50
    2. Proposed acres is greater than 75% but less than 90% forested – Points: 35
    3. Proposed acres is greater than 50% but less than 75% forested – Points: 20
    4. Proposed acres are less than 50% Forested – Points: 0
  2. CONTRIBUTIONS: PPA exhibits identify direct relationship between proposed US-held easement activities and partner contributions, and application directly leverages RCPP funding with partner contributions. (Minimum 40 points)
    1. 25-50% cash match provided by eligible entity for payment of easement compensation to the landowner – Points: 40
    2. 25% cash match provided by eligible entity for payment of easement compensation to the landowner – Points: 20
    3. No cash-match provided by eligible entity for payment of easement compensation to the landowner with partner – Points: 0
  3. Historically Underserved Producers: Application or applicant meets HU requirements or criteria as identified in the PPA or by NRCS (Maximum 40 points)
    1. YES – Points: 40
    2. NO – Points: 0
  4. Applicant is located in an area with a high degree of land Trust Capacity ?
    1. Participant is located in one of these areas but are ineligible to participate in the Entity Held Easement Opportunity – Points: 0
    2. The participant is located in an area with capacity: the following land trusts have capacity to acquire easements (South Kingstown Land Trust, Tiverton Land Trust, Aquidneck Land Trust, Little Compton Agricultural Trust, Westerly Land Trust) – Points: -30
  5. Status of the Forest Management Plan. Select the most appropriate option: 
    1. The applicant is implementing a forest management plan – Points: 40
    2. The applicant has a forest management plan in place but is not yet implementing – Points: 30
    3. The applicant does not have a forest management plan – Points: 0
  6. Would enrollment of the US Held easement under RCPP eligibility criteria permanently protect land which is currently ineligible for any other NRCS administered easement program?
    1. YES – Points: 40
    2. NO – Points: 0

Resource Questions 

  1. Proximity of parcel to Conserved Land
    1. Parcel abuts conserved land – Points: 35
    2. Conserved land is within 1320 feet – Points: 25
    3. Does not apply – Points: 0
  2. Parcel Size
    1. Greater than 100 acres – Points: 20
    2. Between 51-99 acres – Points: 25
    3. Between 30-50 acres – Points: 15
    4. Less than 30 acres – Points: 0
  3. Core Forest
    1. Contained within a core forest of 500+ acres – Points: 20
    2. Contained within a core forest area between 250-500 acres – Points: 10
    3. Entirely outside of a core forest – Points: 0
  4. The parcel is located in a drinking supply reservoir watershed.
    1. Yes – Points: 5
    2. Otherwise – Points: 0
  5. Select the total "Length of Riparian Area" (linear feet) that is within the easement boundary:
    1. Greater than or equal to 2640 feet – Points: 10
    2. Between 1000 feet and up to 2640 feet – Points: 7
    3. Between 500 feet and up to 1000 feet – Points: 5
    4. Less than 500 feet – Points: 0
  6. Is the parcel contained within; or does it intersect with, any TNC Resiliency and Natural Heritage Areas?
    1. Parcel is contained within the TNC Resiliency Area/Heritage Area - Points: 40
    2. The parcel intersects more than 50% but less than 99% - Points: 35
    3. The parcel intersects more than 25% but is not contained within the TNC Resiliency Area/Heritage Area. - Points: 35
    4. Otherwise - Points: 0
  7. What percentage of the easement area soils are classified as Ordination Class 3?
    1. 50% or more land in proposed easement has ordination class of 3 - Points: 30
    2. 25-49% of the parcels forest soils has an ordination class of 3. - Points: 20
    3. Otherwise - Points: 0
  8. Parcel is within or abuts an RI National Register Historic District (NHRD)
    1. Falls within NRHD – Points: 5
    2. Abuts NRHD – Points: 3
    3. Not Applicable – Points: 0
  9. Threat of Solar Development: If over 30 acres and the property is not in a Core Forest, does the property have three phase power available?
    1. 3-phase runs by property – Points: 20
    2. 3-phase is within 1320 feet of property – Points: 10
    3. Not Applicable – Points: 0

Additional Information