Applicability

Do the Planned Land Units (PLU) intersect the boundaries of the RI Urban Ag Areas map layer?

1. YES — Points: 0
2. Otherwise — Points: 0

Category Question

Select the Applicable District in Rhode Island:

1. Eastern Rhode Island — Points: 0
2. Northern Rhode Island — Points: 0
3. Southern Rhode Island — Points: 0

Program Questions

1. Is the land permanently protected through a CONSERVATION EASEMENT, purchase of development rights or other mechanism?
   1. Yes — Points: 20
   2. Otherwise — Points: 0
2. If the participant self-certified as a Beginning Farmer Rancher (BFR), how many years have they been farming? Choose only ONE response.
   1. 0-3 years — Points: 6
   2. 4-6 years — Points: 8
   3. 7-10 years — Points: 10
   4. N/A — Points: 0
3. Did the participant self certify as a veteran farmer or rancher (VFR)?
   1. YES – Points: 10
   2. NO – Points: 0
4. Did the participant self certify as a Limited Resource Farmer Rancher (LFR)?   
   1. YES – Points: 10
   2. NO – Points: 0   
5. Did the participant self certify as a Socially Disadvantaged Farmer Rancher (SDFR)?   
   1. YES – Points: 10
   2. NO – Points: 0
6. Did the applicant apply for funding in Fiscal Year 2024 but was previously NOT funded?
   1. YES — Points: 70
   2. NOT APPLICABLE — Points: 0
7. Will this application result in the installation of a High Tunnel System (CPS 325)?
   1. YES — Points: 15
   2. NO — Points: 0
8. Does the application include practices that will move or exclude animals at least 35 feet from surface water, wetlands, or other sensitive areas?
   1. YES — Points: 5
   2. NO — Points: 0
9. 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
10. Has the participant been in contract VIOLATION with a prior USDA NRCS Contract within the past 3 years?
    1. YES — Points: -25
    2. NO — Points: 0
11. Has the participant been in contract TERMINATION with a prior USDA NRCS Contract within the past 3 years?
    1. YES — Points: -100
    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. Does the Conservation Plan include one or more conservation practices from the Climate-Smart Ag & Forestry Mitigation Activities List (FY25 Version)?
   1. 5+ Climate Smart practices are planned — Points: 20
   2. 3-4 Climate Smart practices are planned — Points: 15
   3. 1-2 Climate Smart practices are planned — Points: 10
   4. Zero (0) Climate Smart practices are planned — Points: 0
5. 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 feet or less from waterbody — Points: 10
   2. PLU is 100-500 feet from waterbody — Points: 8
   3. PLU is 500-1000 feet from a waterbody — Points: 2
   4. Otherwise — Points: 0
6. Is the Planned Land Unit (PLU) 100 feet or less from the edge of the wetland?
   1. PLU is 100 feet or less from the edge of the wetland — Points: 5
   2. Otherwise — Points: 0
7. Does the Planned Land Unit (PLU) include Prime and State Importance Soils?
   1. Yes — Points: 5
   2. Otherwise — Points: 0
8. 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. Otherwise — Points: 0
9. Is the project in one of the source water priority watersheds?
   1. Yes — Points: 15
   2. Otherwise — Points: 0