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Grassland LIP: Application and Instructions

Attention: The application deadline has been extended. All applications must be postmarked by January 5, 2007.

Purpose

The Landowner Incentive Program for Grassland Protection and Management is a new grant program administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). This project encourages private landowner participation in habitat management and protection by providing technical advice and financial incentives for the protection of at-risk wildlife and habitats, specifically grassland birds and their habitat. To help achieve this purpose, DEC has teamed up with Audubon New York, a recognized authority in ornithology and habitat conservation.

DEC biologists and Audubon NY ornithologists have determined that grassland birds are a key statewide conservation focus. Because the vast majority of grassland habitat is privately owned, involving private landowners is the best way to ensure viable populations and long-term survival of grassland birds. This is also the most cost-effective way of protecting at-risk species, because it doesn't require the state to purchase and manage extensive land parcels.

If you are an eligible private landowner and are selected to receive a grant, DEC and Audubon NY will provide you with technical assistance in the form of a Site-Management Plan.

What is a Site-Management Plan (SMP)?

A SMP is a document that details management activities that a landowner must perform on the proposed project site. A draft SMP will be prepared by Audubon NY, in collaboration with the landowner, only after the DEC has completed Stage I of the pre-application review process and whereby the project scores high enough to move forward to the Stage II application review process. If a project proposal is selected to receive funding, the SMP will be finalized between the landowner and DEC and will be included in a State assistance contract. The SMP provides DEC with a way to track and evaluate the progress of a project. State assistance contract payments will be provided to a landowner only after applicable management of the SMP is verified by DEC or its representative(s).

How do I apply?

First, read the section on "Who is Eligible to Apply" below to make sure that you are eligible. To apply, fill out a pre-application form and submit it to DEC before the application deadline. Application forms and instruction booklets will also be available at soil and water conservation district as well as county and town clerk's offices located within the focus areas.

Ecological Focus

Financial assistance is currently available for the protection and management of grassland habitat on private land. In the future, DEC anticipates that the Program will grow in scope to address other at-risk species and their habitat.

Funding Source

DEC has received approximately $600,000 from the Department of the Interior, United States Fish and Wildlife Service for the administration of grants to private landowners for the protection of grassland birds and their habitat.

Who is eligible to apply?

To be eligible to apply for financial assistance, an applicant must be a Private Landowner and must own land located within one of the Grassland Focus Areas. Private landowners having appropriate habitat on appropriate properties located just outside but contiguous to a focus area, will be generally eligible to apply for grant funding under this project.

Private Landowner - is defined as and includes particular persons, non-governmental organizations, commercial corporations, and land trusts. If you are a Not-For-Profit (NFP) organization, you must submit proof of your designated Internal Revenue tax status under Internal Revenue Code 501 (c)(3).

Private Land - is defined as any non-government owned land.

All parcel sizes are eligible for funding, although this project is geared towards parcels greater than ten acres in size. Scientific research has shown that grassland birds typically need habitat patches of at least ten contiguous acres in size. Parcels ten acres and larger will receive priority points in DEC's project evaluation and scoring process. However, smaller parcels that have an unusually high number of grassland birds may also potentially score high enough to be funded. DEC's established project evaluation and scoring process is required to determine the best selection of eligible projects for funding.

Who is not eligible to apply?

Municipal agencies at all levels of government (federal, state, county, town, city, etc.) and any type of government-owned land is excluded from filing a pre-application under this project. Acres of land already enrolled in similar incentives (e.g. USDA Farm Bill programs) are not eligible for funding under this project.

Is there a minimum or maximum grant amount?

No, the amount of a grant award will be based on how many acres of the target species habitat are enrolled into the project. Although all parcel sizes are eligible, large parcels of high-quality habitat are most desirable for species conservation.

How will selected landowners receive State assistance payments?

A landowner will receive annual payments only after performing the activities specified for that year in the final SMP, and after a State representative has verified through an on-site inspection that the SMP tasks and activities have been completed.

What determines project payment rates?

DEC has calculated payment rates by evaluating the highest and best agricultural use for eligible properties, determined to be corn production. This is a standard method of evaluating fair property rental rates for conservation, and has been approved by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Private landowners that are selected to receive financial assistance under this project will be compensated at the rate of $55 or $60 per acre per year to conduct the prescribed site management. The higher rate will be applied for parcels of land located within 25 miles of large urban areas (population of more than 100,000), reflecting higher soil rental rates near population centers.

Is there a landowner match requirement?

Yes, however, the payment rates described above have a 25 percent reduction factored in the form of reduced land-rental rates. This 25 percent reduction fully accounts for the landowner's match requirement.

Are project state-assistance contract payments taxable?

Yes, state assistance payments are taxable. The State Department of Taxation and Finance will send you a 1099 form for moneys you receive from this grant project. Landowners are advised to consult their tax advisor or accountant to determine their individual tax liability.

What is the project funding period?

Applicants selected to receive grant funding will be required to enter into a State Assistance Contract that will carry a term of five years. An extension beyond the five-year term may be possible if DEC receives additional project funds and upon a landowner's successful implementation of the SMP. An extension of a State Assistance Contract may be subject to the approval of the Office of the State Comptroller.

How will landowners be notified of a grant award?

If your proposal scores high enough to be selected to receive a grant award, you will receive an official award letter from the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, notifying you of a grant award. Shortly thereafter, DEC will send you a State-Assistance Contract that will include a final SMP and a contract payment schedule. You will be required to sign and return the contract to DEC for final approval and processing.

Are there other Program requirements that need to be met?

The following eligibility criteria apply to all applicants:

  • Land must be privately owned. Landowners will be required to provide proof of ownership in the form of a deed if the proposal scores high enough to be further reviewed under the Stage 2 evaluation process.
  • Property must be located in one of the Grassland Focus Areas. Properties that have appropriate habitat and are contiguous but just outside of a focus area generally will be considered eligible.

    • The focus areas include portions of the following counties:
    • Allegany, Cayuga, Chemung, Clinton, Cortland, Erie, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Genesee, Herkimer, Jefferson, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Montgomery, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Orleans, Otsego, Saratoga, Schoharie, Schuyler, Seneca, St. Lawrence, Steuben, Tompkins, Ulster, Washington, Warren, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates
  • Acres of land already enrolled in similar incentives (e.g. USDA Farm Bill programs) are not eligible for reimbursement under this project. However, landowners may be enrolled in more than one program as long as different parcels are committed to each.
  • Landowners must be willing to enter into a State Assistance Contract that will carry a five-year term and must perform all the activities identified in the final SMP contained in that contract.
  • Landowners must allow DEC staff or their representatives to enter the eligible property at reasonable hours and after notification.
  • All not-for-profit (NFP) organizations must include their Federal Employer ID number and New York State Charities registration number with their pre-application. A NFP must also submit a Resolution of Support identifying the person authorized on behalf of the organization to submit an application and sign legal documents. This person will receive official notification from DEC about decisions regarding the NFP pre-application.
  • Once a proposal has been selected for funding, DEC will notify the landowner of the need to provide the information necessary to complete the State Assistance Contract. Landowners may be required to submit, within 30 business days of receipt of such notice, the following items:

    • Vendor Responsibility Questionnaire (grant awards $100,000 or more)
    • A formal NY State Assistance Contract (including a Site Management Plan, a term effective date, Appendix A - standard State Clauses and Appendix B - Department Clauses), subject to all appropriate State rules, regulations, and reporting requirements.