Purpose

Increase the implementation of select forestry conservation practices to improve the health and resiliency of private forestlands in Connecticut by financially supporting landowners with the implementation of NRCS conservation practices for resilient forestry.

This program fills the gap between NRCS conservation practice reimbursement rates and the total cost of implementing eligible resilient forestry practices at the time of implementation, allowing for a greater reimbursement to landowners managing their woodlands.

Who Qualifies

Rural, non-industrial, private woodland owners with a
current and active NRCS EQIP or CSP agreement
implementing eligible resilient forestry practices.

How The Program Works

Administered by the CT Council on Soil and Water Conservation (CSWC).

The subaward pays the difference between the NRCS reimbursement rates on the landowners’ existing NRCS contract and the total cost of practice implementation, based on the current-year NRCS payment schedule at the time of implementation.

Landowners with current and active NRCS contracts can receive up to 100% of the total resilient forestry practice cost, making this subaward program particularly helpful for landowners with older NRCS contracts, struggling to implement conservation practices as a result of the significantly elevated implementation costs they are facing today.

Payment Process

CSWC will reimburse landowners only after:

(1) NRCS has certified the conservation practice and
(2) the NRCS payment has been processed, ensuring funds are used solely for implemented
resilient forestry practices.

NRCS provides CSWC documentation for:

  • Practices completed and certified to NRCS
    standards
  • Practice codes, acres, and per-unit rates
  • Proof of NRCS payment

Program at a Glance

$3.3M funded by a USDA Forest Service IRA - Forest Stewardship grant awarded through a competitive opportunity, focused on implementing resilient forestry practices on private and municipal lands.

Supplements federal dollars to fund 100% of the implementation of resilient forestry practices in Connecticut's rural, non-industrial private woodlands.

What You Receive

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  • Simple agreement + clear documentation list
  • Payment covering the difference between the total practice cost based on today’s NRCS practice payment schedule and the practice reimbursement rates on your existing NRCS contract.
  • Payments will be issued by CSWC to the Landowner by check or bank transfer up to ninety (90) days from the date the subaward has been approved by DEEP.

Steps to Get Started

  1. Complete practices.
  2. Confirm your EQIP/CSP agreement and list of implemented practices with your CT NRCS planner.
  3. NRCS verifies and pays.
  4. NRCS shares your referral, including rates, codes, and acres, with CSWC.
  5. CSWC sends a subaward agreement for your signature.
  6. CSWC issues subaward payment.

Program Notes

  • Subawards depend on funding availability and federal award conditions through 09/01/2029.
  • Operation and maintenance obligations from NRCS still apply.
  • Maintain records and be available for verification if requested.

Funding

Funding provided by the USDA Forest Service through the Forest Stewardship Program, and under the Inflation Reduction Act, as administered by the CT DEEP Division of Forestry.

Contact Information

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Lilian ruiz

Executive Director

ctcouncilswc@gmail.com

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DEEP Forestry grants team

DEEP.UCF.Grants@ct.gov

USDANRCS

Todd Bobowick

Todd.Bobowick@usda.gov

 

Program Partners

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USDANRCS
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