Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS NHQ WMBP 16 01
The Wetlands Mitigation Banking Program is a competitive grant opportunity run by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to help set up and launch wetland mitigation banks specifically intended to serve agricultural producers. The core idea is to create approved, operational "banks" that can generate wetland mitigation credits that USDA program participants can use to address requirements under the Wetland Conservation Compliance provisions of the 1985 Food Security Act (as amended). In practical terms, the program is designed to expand mitigation options for farmers and ranchers who have wetlands on agricultural land and need a clear pathway to remain in compliance while continuing to operate.
NRCS makes up to $9 million available nationwide through this competition, with individual awards capped at $1 million each. The agency anticipated making around 20 awards under this notice. Funded agreements can last up to five years, reflecting that establishing a mitigation bank is a multi-step process that typically involves planning, coordination, and development work before credits can be offered and used. A key limitation is that grant funds cannot be used to acquire any interest in land, including purchasing land or securing easements, so applicants must plan to build the banking program without using these federal dollars for land acquisition.
Eligibility is broad and includes federally recognized Tribal governments, state governments, and local units of government (such as counties, cities/townships, and special districts), as well as qualifying nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) organizations), for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits). Proposals could be submitted from anywhere in the United States and its covered territories, including all 50 states and the District of Columbia, plus Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands in the Caribbean Area, and Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in the Pacific Islands Area. While it is a nationwide competition, NRCS indicates it will prioritize proposals in areas with significant numbers of cropped agricultural wetlands, signaling a preference for projects that address high-demand compliance needs in intensive agricultural landscapes.
Applications are reviewed first for basic completeness and compliance with the notice requirements. Proposals that are incomplete or do not meet the stated requirements are removed from consideration before ranking, and applicants are notified if their submission is eliminated at that stage. Applicants that are selected do not simply receive funds and proceed independently; instead, they work directly with NRCS to develop a formal mitigation banking instrument. That instrument is what ultimately establishes the bank as operational and sets the rules for how credits are generated, accounted for, and made available to interested USDA program participants for wetland conservation compliance purposes.
Administratively, this opportunity is a discretionary grant under CFDA 10.933 (Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources). The funding opportunity number is USDA NRCS NHQ WMBP 16 01. The original closing date listed for this particular announcement was March 28, 2016, and the notice was created on January 28, 2016.Apply for USDA NRCS NHQ WMBP 16 01
- The Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Wetlands Mitigation Banking Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.933.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2016-01-28.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2016-03-28. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.
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Wetlands Mitigation Banking Program (USDA NRCS) - FAQs
What is the Wetlands Mitigation Banking Program?
The Wetlands Mitigation Banking Program is a competitive grant opportunity run by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to help set up and launch wetland mitigation banks specifically intended to serve agricultural producers.
What is a wetland mitigation bank in the context of this program?
In this program, a wetland mitigation bank is an approved, operational "bank" that can generate wetland mitigation credits. Those credits can then be used by USDA program participants to address requirements under the Wetland Conservation Compliance provisions of the 1985 Food Security Act (as amended).
What problem is this grant designed to address for farmers and ranchers?
The program is designed to expand mitigation options for farmers and ranchers who have wetlands on agricultural land and need a clear pathway to remain in compliance with Wetland Conservation Compliance while continuing agricultural operations.
How much total funding is available through this competition?
NRCS makes up to $9 million available nationwide through this competitive opportunity.
What is the maximum award amount per grant?
Individual awards are capped at $1 million each.
How many awards did NRCS expect to make?
NRCS anticipated making around 20 awards under this notice.
How long can a funded agreement last?
Funded agreements can last up to five years, reflecting the multi-step process involved in establishing a mitigation bank (planning, coordination, and development work) before credits can be offered and used.
Can grant funds be used to buy land or obtain easements?
No. A key limitation is that grant funds cannot be used to acquire any interest in land. This includes purchasing land or securing easements. Applicants must plan to build the banking program without using these federal dollars for land acquisition.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility includes:
- Federally recognized Tribal governments
- State governments
- Local units of government (such as counties, cities/townships, and special districts)
- Qualifying nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) organizations)
- For-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits)
Is this grant limited to certain states or regions?
No. Proposals could be submitted from anywhere in the United States and its covered territories, including all 50 states and the District of Columbia, plus Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (Caribbean Area), and Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (Pacific Islands Area).
Does NRCS indicate any priority locations or project types?
Yes. While it is a nationwide competition, NRCS indicates it will prioritize proposals in areas with significant numbers of cropped agricultural wetlands, signaling a preference for projects that address high-demand Wetland Conservation Compliance needs in intensive agricultural landscapes.
Is this opportunity a competitive grant or a formula allocation?
It is a competitive grant opportunity.
How are applications reviewed?
Applications are reviewed first for basic completeness and compliance with the notice requirements. Proposals that are incomplete or do not meet the stated requirements are removed from consideration before ranking, and applicants are notified if their submission is eliminated at that stage.
If selected, does the applicant simply receive funds and operate independently?
No. Applicants that are selected work directly with NRCS to develop a formal mitigation banking instrument. This instrument ultimately establishes the bank as operational and sets the rules for how credits are generated, accounted for, and made available for wetland conservation compliance purposes.
What is a mitigation banking instrument in this program?
Based on the notice description, the mitigation banking instrument is the formal document developed with NRCS that establishes the bank as operational and defines how mitigation credits are generated, tracked/accounted for, and made available to interested USDA program participants for Wetland Conservation Compliance use.
Who can use the wetland mitigation credits generated by banks supported through this program?
The banks are intended to generate credits that USDA program participants can use to address requirements under the Wetland Conservation Compliance provisions of the 1985 Food Security Act (as amended).
What agency runs this program?
The program is run by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
This opportunity is a discretionary grant under CFDA 10.933 (Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources).
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is USDA NRCS NHQ WMBP 16 01.
When was this notice created?
The notice was created on January 28, 2016.
What was the closing date for this announcement?
The original closing date listed for this particular announcement was March 28, 2016.
What happens if an application is incomplete or noncompliant?
Applications that are incomplete or do not meet the stated requirements are eliminated from consideration before ranking, and the applicant is notified if the submission is eliminated at that stage.
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