Applicability Question

Does the Planned Land Unit (PLU) intersect the National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) layer of watersheds by 50% or greater?

1. Yes - Points: 0
2. Otherwise (NOT ELIGIBLE) - Points: 0

Category Question

Which Rhode Island watershed does the PLU intersect with?

1. Sakonnet River - Points: 0
2. Tomaquag Brook-Pawcatuck River - Points: 0
3. Otherwise (NOT ELIGIBLE) - Points: 0

Program Questions

1. Is the land permanently protected through a CONSERVATION EASEMENT, purchase of development rights or other mechanism?
   1. YES - Points: 30
   2. NO - Points: 0
2. 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 Veteran Farmer / Rancher (VFR) - Points: 15
   2. Applicant self-certified as a Limited Resource Farmer / Rancher (LFR) - Points: 15
   3. Applicant self-certified as a Socially Disadvantaged Farmer / Rancher (SDFR) - Points: 15
   4. Applicant self-certified as a Beginning Farmer / Rancher (BFR) - Points: 15
   5. Applicant Does Not Qualify or Self Identify - Points: 0
3. Did the applicant apply for funding in Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 but was previously NOT funded?
   1. YES - Points: 60
   2. NO - Points: 0
4. If this application is approved for funding, will this be the applicant's first EQIP contract?
   1. YES - Points: 50
   2. NO - Points: 0
5. 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 Planned Land Unit (PLU) intersect the following priority critical source areas for NWQI watersheds?
   1. Very High - Points: 25
   2. High - Points: 15
   3. Moderate - Points: 10
   4. Low and/or Null - Points: 0
2. Will the project be applying for an approved CEMA?
   1. YES - Points: 10
   2. NO - Points: 0
3. Does the schedule of operations include implementation of at least one "CORE" conservation practice that addresses one or more of the priority resource concerns? [Important: Planner MUST review the Guidance Drop-down for specific practices.]
   1. Field Sediment, Nutrient, and Pathogen Loss - Points: 45
   2. Concentrated Erosion - Points: 15
   3. Storage and Handling of Pollutants - Points: 30
   4. Not 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: 30
   2. 3 to 4 Climate Smart practices are planned - Points: 15
   3. 1 or 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: 30
   2. PLU is 101-500 feet from waterbody - Points: 20
   3. PLU is 501-1000 feet from a waterbody - Points: 10
   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 - PLU contains prime or state important soils - Points: 5
   2. Otherwise - Points: 0
8. Does the Planned Land Unit (PLU) intersect the RI Groundwater classification GAA area?
   1. Yes - Points: 5
   2. Otherwise - Points: 0