Conservation Innovation Grants Due in March

Honolulu, February 4, 2008 – USDA-NRCS Pacific Islands Area Director Lawrence Yamamoto announced the request for proposals for State Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) competition The CIG program is designed to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2008.

"Conservation Innovation Grants offer islanders a unique opportunity to test and establish new conservation tools that will help protect natural resources as they work on our island farms, ranches, and forest land," said Lawrence Yamamoto, NRCS Director for the Pacific Islands Area. "We must produce food and fiber for our families. The NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant is an opportunity to help our island community find ways that are relevant and specific to our islands to meet these needs while protecting our natural resources for our children's children," he said.

USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service Pacific Islands Area administers the State CIG. For Fiscal Year 2008, up to $275,000 is available for the state CIG competition. Funds for single- or multi-year projects, not to exceed three years, will be awarded through an area wide competitive grants process with applications accepted from Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands from all eligible government or non-government organizations or individuals, including federally recognized tribes.

Applicants should explain how large a geographic area the project would benefit. These projects may be at the field, farm or watershed scale and must be located on one or more islands within the Pacific Islands Area. Applications should describe the use of innovative technologies or approaches, or both, to address a natural resource conservation concern or concerns.

Funding for CIG is made available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). All proposed CIG projects must involve EQIP-eligible producers. CIG funds that are used to provide direct or indirect payments to individuals or entities to implement structural, vegetative or management practices are subject to the $450,000 EQIP payment limitation. CIG is not a research program but rather a tool to stimulate the adoption of conservation approaches or technologies that have been studied sufficiently to indicate a high likelihood of success, and are likely candidates for eventual technology transfer.

CIG will fund projects targeting innovative on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations. Technologies and approaches that are commonly used in the geographic area covered by the application, and which are eligible for funding through EQIP, are not eligible for funding through CIG. Proposed projects must conform to the description of innovative conservation projects or activities published in the Announcement of Program Funding (APF).

CIG funds pilot projects and conservation field trials that can last from one to three years. Grants for approved projects cannot exceed 50 percent of the total project cost. At least 50 percent of the total cost of the project must come from non-Federal matching funds (cash and in-kind contributions) provided by the grantee. Qualified applicants from Guam, American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands may request a waiver of matching requirements subjects to the terms contained in existing legislation. While NRCS will provide technical oversight for each project receiving an award, the grantee is responsible for providing the technical assistance required to successfully complete the project.

To view the Announcement of Program Funding or to apply visit: http://www.grants.gov/. If you have any questions about the State CIG program, please contact Michael Whitt, CIG Program Manager at 808-541-2600 ext. 153 or Michael.Whitt@hi.usda.gov. For more information about NRCS conservation programs visit http://www.hi.nrcs.usda.gov or visit the nearest USDA Service Center. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

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