Project lands may be held under easements through NRCS programs and identified such that any potential impacts may be mitigated during the Environmental Analysis. The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) helps landowners, land trusts, and other entities protect, restore, and enhance wetlands, grasslands, and working farms and ranches through conservation easements. ACEP has two components: Under the Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) component, NRCS helps American Indian tribes, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations protect working agricultural lands and limit non-agricultural uses of the land. Under the Wetlands Reserve Easements (WRE) component, NRCS helps to restore, protect and enhance enrolled wetlands. The Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP) helps landowners restore, enhance and protect forestland resources on private and tribal lands through easements and financial assistance.
Easement Administrative Action USDA NRCS
Permit/Review
Responsible Agency/Bureau
Project Type
All
Activity/Trigger
Identification of land use easements issued under the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) and the Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP) during scoping by proponent, lead or cooperating agencies.
Description
Statute/Regulations
2018 Farm Bill
Editorial Category