Weeks Bay Watershed Project Management Plan - Mobile Bay ...

36
problems. EQIP will provide up to 60% cost-share for restoration.
A landowner may receive up to $50,000 annually in EQIP payments.
d. Forestry Incentives Program (FIP)
Forestry Incentives Program is a USDA program administered by
NRCS. FIP supports good forest management practices on privately
owned, nonindustrial forestlands nationwide. FIP is designed to
benefit the environment while meeting future demands for wood
products.
e. Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)
The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) is a voluntary
program for landowners who want to develop and improve wildlife
habitat on private lands. Participants work with NRCS to prepare a
wildlife habitat development plan. USDA provides technical
assistance and cost-share payments up to 75 percent of the cost of
installing the wildlife habitat practices. USDA and the participant
enter into a cost-share agreement that usually lasts a minimum of 10
years.
f. Farmland Protection Program (FPP)
The FPP provides funds to help purchase development rights to
keep productive farmland in agricultural use. Seventeen states are
currently implementing the FPP program. Alabama is not currently
implementing this program.
g. Partners for Fish and Wildlife
This incentive program is administered by FWS. The Partners for
Wildlife program restores, improves, and protects fish and wildlife
habitat on private lands through alliances between the FWS, other
organizations, and individuals, while leaving the land in private
ownership. Funds received cannot exceed $10,000 during one fiscal
year and projects with private landowners must secure a minimum
10-year habitat development agreement. Landowners can receive up
to 100% funding for project expenses. The program emphasizes
Federal trust resources: e.g. migratory birds, endangered and
threatened species, wetlands, flood plains and riparian areas.
h. Weeks Bay Pollution Prevention Project (WBPPP)
The Baldwin County SWCD initiated the WBPPP in 1994. Funding
for this program expired in September 1996. The EPA Gulf of
Mexico Program funded the WBPPP. The grant funds were used to
assist local landowners in implementing BMPs for the control of
sediment, excess nutrients, pesticides and other nonpoint source
pollution. This project provided technical assistance (information
and education), equipment rental to assist in carrying out the
practices, cost-sharing, and educational programs.
Weeks Bay Watershed Management Plan