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RCPP - RI Forest Health Works - FY 2025 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: 40
    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. 
    1. RCPP Financial Assistance (FA) leverages more than 25% partner FA – Points: 40
    2. RCPP FA leverages 25% or less partner FA – Points: 20
    3. No leveraging of RCPP FA with partner – Points: 0
  3. Historically Underserved Producers: Application or applicant meets HU requirements or criteria as identified in the PPA or by NRCS 
    1. YES – Points: 40
    2. NO – Points: 0
  4. Is the applicant's proposed easement boundary located in an area with a high degree of land trust capacity?
    1. The proposed easement is not located in one of these areas, OR the applicant has been determined ineligible to participate in the Entity Held Easement opportunity – Points: 0
    2. The proposed easement is located in a municipality or area with land trust capacity – Points: -30
  5. Status of the Forest Management Plan. Select the most appropriate option: 
    1. The applicant has implemented or 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 1,320 feet – Points: 25
    3. Does not apply – Points: 0
  2. Parcel Size:
    1. Greater than 100 acres – Points: 35
    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. Is the parcel located in a drinking water 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. TNC Resiliency Area:
    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: 25
    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. Is parcel located within the mapped scenic corridors?
    1. Yes – Points: 5
    2. No – 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 1,320 feet of property – Points: 10
    3. Not Applicable – Points: 0

Additional Information

Regional Conservation Partnership Program - Rhode Island

The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) is a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land. 

Learn More

Rhode Island Forest Health Works RCPP

The RI Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Division of Forest Environment and ten partners will leverage over $3.9M in 5 years under 2021 RCPP to permanently protect over 1,300 acres of critical, privately owned forest lands to combat fragmentation and improve wildlife habitat. 

Learn More