Additional Agricultural Conservation Investments: Regional Conservation Partnership Program

Agency: Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service

 

Description:

Funds regional and state-wide conservation projects, including grasslands easements, water conservation, and more. RCPP projects may include a range of on-the-ground conservation activities implemented by farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, and Indian tribes such as land management, improvement, and restoration practices; land rentals; and entity-held and U.S.-held easements. This funding will prioritize partnerships that support implementation of conservation projects that directly improve soil carbon, reduce nitrogen losses, or reduce, capture, avoid, or sequester carbon dioxide, methane, or nitrous oxide emissions associated with agricultural production.

Bill Section:

21001(a)(4)

US Code:

16 USC 3871

New or Existing:

Existing

Potential Cost:     

$4,950,000,000

Timeline:     

FY23-31

Implementation Status/Rulemaking:   

On November 21, 2022, USDA released a Request for Information (RFI, NRCS-2022-0015) on how Natural Resources Conservation Service will implement funds received under the Inflation Reduction. Comments were accepted through December 21, 2022: Source

On May 19, 2023, USDA announced the availability of $500 million through the FY2023 RCPP, up to $225 million of which is funded through the Inflation Reduction Act. Applications were due August 18, 2023: Source

NRCS plans to roll out the next RCPP funding opportunity in late January 2024: Source

TCS Notes:

This is a long-established program routinely reauthorized as part of the Farm Bill process. These funds are intended for projects funding 1+ practices that “improve soil carbon, reduce nitrogen losses or reduce, capture, avoid, or sequester carbon dioxide, methane, or nitrous oxide emissions.”

IRA funds are allocated on a fiscal year basis from 2023 to 2026 and remain available through FY2031
(A) $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2023;
(B) $800,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
(C) $1,500,000,000 for fiscal year 2025;
(D) $2,400,000,000 for fiscal year 2026;

Other TCS Resources:

Agricultural Conservation Spending Bump in Reconciliation Bill