Applicability

Is this application located in the NORTHERN Rhode Island District (Providence county)? [This applicability is geospatial and the ranking will be available if the application is located in the Northern district. If the application does not have an approved I&E (as applicable) the planner must reject the ranking.]

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

Category 

1. Is this application for a CPA, DIA and/or CEMA?
   1. YES – Points:  0
   2. NO – Points:  0
2. Did the applicant self-certify as a beginning farmer or rancher (BFR) on the NRCS-CPA-1200?
   1. YES – Points:  0
   2. NO – Points:  0
3. Did the applicant self-certify as a socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher (SDFR) on the NRCS-CPA-1200?
   1. YES – Points:  0
   2. NO – Points:  0
4. Applicant Does Not Qualify or Self Identify as HU, General Category for all other Farmers/ Applicants:
   1. YES – Points:  0
   2. NO – Points:  0

Program Questions

1. Is the land permanently protected through a CONSERVATION EASEMENT, purchase of development rights or other mechanism?
   1. YES – Points: 15
   2. NO – Points: 0
2. Is the applicant implementing a plan developed for Farm Forest & Open Space (FFOS) Program?
   1. YES – Points: 5
   2. NO – Points: 0
3. Has the participant been in contract VIOLATION with any prior USDA NRCS Contract within the past 3 years?
   1. YES — Points: -25
   2. NO — Points: 0
4. Has the participant been in contract TERMINATION with any prior USDA NRCS Contract within the past 3 years?
   1. YES — Points: -100
   2. NO — Points: 0
5. If this application is approved for funding, will this be the applicant’s first EQIP contract?
   1. YES – Points: 7
   2. NO – Points: 0
6. Will implementation of this Conservation Plan allow for the continued implementation of a system of conservation practices that has been initiated and is being progressively installed?
   1. YES – Points: 8
   2. NO – Points: 0
7. Does the farm meet the definition of a small scale urban farm? 
   1. YES — Points: 25
   2. NO — Points: 0 
8. Did the applicant apply for funding in Fiscal Year 2024 but was previously NOT funded?
   1. YES — Points: 14
   2. NO — Points: 0 
9. Will this application be addressing Inefficient Energy Use?   
   1. YES — Points: 35
   2. NO — Points: 0
10. Will this application be addressing Livestock Production Limitations? 
    1. YES — Points: 25
    2. NO — Points: 0   
11. Will participant be addressing degraded plant condition or weather resiliency through installation of a High Tunnel (325)?
    1. YES — Points: 12
    2. NO — Points: 0
12. Will the participant be addressing Concentrated Erosion; Field Sediment, Nutrient, and Pathogen Loss; Source Water Depletion; Wind and Water Erosion; and/or Storage and Handling of Pollutants? 
    1. YES — Points: 28
    2. NO — Points: 0
13. Is the applicant applying for CPA, DIA and/or CEMA?
    1. YES — Points: 8
    2. NO — Points: 0
14. Is the purpose of this application to implement an approved Forest Management Plan (NRCS 106 CAP) or Forest Stewardship Plan.   
    1. YES — Points: 18
    2. NO — Points: 0 

Resource Questions

1. Using the CART Assessments FIRST Results, Graph View, considering all land uses and Tracts in this assessment at the time of application: How many "RHODE ISLAND Required Resource Concern Categories" exist and are NOT MEETING THE THRESHOLD (Count Existing Condition and Existing Practices as ONE)? IF your existing condition exceeds the threshold DO NOT count it.   
   1. 5 or more Required Resource Concern Categories Not Met – Points: 65
   2. 4 Required Resource Concern Categories Not Met – Points: 55
   3. 3 Required Resource Concern Categories Not Met – Points: 45
   4. 2 Required Resource Concern Categories Not Met – Points: 35
   5. 1 Required Resource Concern Categories Not Met – Points: 25
   6. None of the other choices are applicable – Points: 0
2. Using the CART Assessments FIRST Results, Graph View, considering all land uses and Tracts in this assessment at the time of application: How many "RHODE ISLAND Required Resource Concern Categories" exist and IMPROVED BUT DID NOT MEET THE THRESHOLD? [Look at the planned practices (light blue) bar - means improvement.] IF your existing condition exceeds the threshold DO NOT count it.
   1. 5 or more Required Resource Concern Categories Improved – Points: 30
   2. 4 Required Resource Concern Categories Improved – Points: 20
   3. 3 Required Resource Concern Categories Improved – Points: 15
   4. 2 Required Resource Concern Categories Improved – Points: 10
   5. 1 Required Resource Concern Categories Improved – Points: 5
   6. None of the other choices are applicable – Points: 0
3. Using the CART Assessments FIRST Results, Graph View, considering all land uses and Tracts in this assessment at the time of application: How many "RHODE ISLAND Required Resource Concern Categories" exist and MEET OR EXCEED THE THRESHOLD? [Look at the planned practices (light blue) bar - hitting or exceeding the threshold.] IF your existing condition exceeds the threshold DO NOT count it.
   1. 5 or more Required Resource Concern Categories Improved – Points: 40
   2. 4 Required Resource Concern Categories Improved – Points: 30
   3. 3 Required Resource Concern Categories Improved – Points: 20
   4. 2 Required Resource Concern Categories Improved – Points: 10
   5. 1 Required Resource Concern Categories Improved – Points: 5
   6. None of the other choices are applicable – Points: 0
4. What is the distance from the Planned Land Unit (PLU) to water bodies including streams, ponds, lakes, estuaries, or all surface waters?
   1. PLU is equal to or less than 100 feet from waterbody – Points: 20
   2. PLU is 100-500 feet from waterbody – Points: 10
   3. PLU is 500-1000 feet from a waterbody – Points: 5
   4. There is no waterbody near or in the PLU – Points: 0
5. Is the Planned Land Unit (PLU) 100 feet or less from the edge of the wetland?
   1. YES, the PLU is 100 feet or less from the edge of the wetland – Points: 15
   2. Otherwise / No – Points: 0
6. Does the Planned Land Unit (PLU) include Prime and State Importance Soils?
   1. YES, the PLU contains prime or state important soils – Points: 15
   2. Otherwise/NO – Points: 0
7. Based on the source water dashboard, is the Planned Land Unit (PLU) located in a "high" / targeted source water watershed?
   1. Yes – Points: 10
   2. No – Points: 0
8. Is the project in one of the source water protection priority watershed areas?
   1. Yes – Points: 5
   2. No – Points: 0