NRCS in Texas Announces Second Sign-Up for Three Regional Conservation Partnership Program Projects in FY 2023

The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Texas announced an application cutoff date of February 24, 2023, for the Hill Country Headwaters Conservation Initiative, Restoring Flow in Comanche Springs, and the Greater Big Bend Partnership through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).  While NRCS accepts applications for these programs year-round, producers and landowners should apply by the application cutoff dates to be considered for fiscal year’s funding.  

The Hill Country Headwaters Conservation Initiative through Farm Bill (FB) 2014 RCPP - Environmental Quality Incentives Program (RCPP-EQIP) is a partnership with the Hill Country Conservancy.  This initiative aims to help landowners with projects addressing short-term and long-term conservation of water quality, wildlife habitat, and drought and flood management in the Barton Creek, Blanco River, Llano River, Onion Creek, Pedernales River, Sandy Creek and Upper San Marcos River Watersheds.  Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the Hill Country Conservancy’s website for more information and to complete the pre-application screening prior to submitting an application for assistance with the local NRCS Field Office.

Restoring Perennial Flow in Comanche Springs through FB 2018 RCPP Land Management (LM) is a partnership with Texas Water Trade. The primary objective of this project is to reduce total groundwater pumping from the aquifers associated with spring flow at Comanche Springs and is available to producers in the Belding Irrigation Area in Pecos County.  Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the Texas Water Trade website or contact Scott Moorhead by e-mail at moorhead@texaswatertrade.org prior to applying for assistance with the local NRCS Field Office.

The Greater Big Bend Conservation Partnership through FB 2018 RCPP LM is a partnership with Sul Ross University. This project will fund innovative conservation approaches on private lands, including habitat restoration, grassland restoration, and riparian restoration. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the Greater Big Bend Conservation Partnership website for more information and to complete the pre-application screening prior to submitting an assistance with the local NRCS Field Office.

Applying for Assistance

The NRCS accepts applications for its conservation programs year-round. Ranking dates for all programs and states are available at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/ranking-dates. Applications received after ranking dates will be automatically deferred to the next funding period. Producers, landowners, and forest managers interested in applying for assistance should contact the NRCS at their local USDA Service Center.