United States Department of Agriculture
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Grassland Reserve Program
Hawaii 2005 
Signup and Application Information

General Program Description

The Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) is a voluntary program that helps landowners and operators restore and protect grassland, including rangeland and pastureland, and certain other lands, while maintaining the areas as grazing lands.

This program emphasizes:
     Support for grazing operations, 
     plant and animal biodiversity, and 
     grasslands under the greatest threat of conversion.

GRP is authorized in the 2002 Farm Bill. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) administer the program, in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service. Funding for the GRP comes from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). 

Additional program information may be found at: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/GRP/

Application and Sign-up Period

Applications for a rental agreement will be accepted by NRCS or FSA at any time. Batching dates are established to evaluate and select applications for funding.

Friday February 11, 2005 was the first batching cutoff date for FY-2005. All applications on file through that date were evaluated and prioritized for 2005 funding ($1,282,684 is available statewide for FY-2005). Applicants from previous years need not re-apply.

Application information is available:

The following documents require Adobe Acrobat Document Adobe Acrobat.

Adobe Acrobat Document FY-2005 GRP Deadlines (50.2 KB)
Adobe Acrobat Document USDA Office Locations (67.4 KB)
Adobe Acrobat Document AD-1153 GRP Application (117 KB)
Adobe Acrobat Document AD-1153 Example GRP Application (83.2 KB)

Ranking Information

In March 2005, the eligible applications were evaluated and selected based on state ranking criteria. Priority was given to applications that would enroll existing grasslands at risk for conversion and those that did not require restoration cost-share assistance.

The following documents require Adobe Acrobat Document Adobe Acrobat.

Adobe Acrobat Document GRP Ranking Worksheet Instructions - FY-2005 (7.79 KB)
Adobe Acrobat Document GRP Ranking Worksheet - FY-2005 (22.7 KB)
Adobe Acrobat Document GRP Ranking Worksheet Koa Map - FY-2005 (77.1 KB)
Adobe Acrobat Document GRP Eligible Restoration Practices & Cost-Share Rates - FY-2005 (16.1 KB)

Applications Selected for Funding

With the available statewide funding of $1,282,684, six applications were selected for funding based on the state ranking criteria. All were for rental contracts. Three applications from Kauai were selected for funding for a total of $126,110; two applications from the Island of Hawaii were selected for funding for a total of $347,340; and one application from Molokai was selected for funding for $809,230. Remaining funds which could not be obligated was $4.

How the Grassland Reserve Program Works

Participants voluntarily limit future use of the land while retaining the right to conduct common grazing practices; produce hay, mow, or harvest for seed production (subject to certain restrictions during the nesting season of bird species that are in significant decline or those that are protected under Federal or State law); and conduct fire rehabilitation and construct firebreaks and fences. Participants will be required to follow a conservation plan developed by NRCS and the participant to preserve the integrity of the grassland.

Enrollment options:

Rental Agreement - Participants have the option of choosing a 10-year, 15-year, 20-year, or 30-year agreement. In Hawaii, the annual rental payment rate is $16.50 per acre per year for the life of the agreement. Payments will be disbursed on the agreement anniversary date each year.

Permanent Easement -  This is a conservation easement in perpetuity. Easement payments for this option equal the fair market value, less the grazing value of the land encumbered by the easement. These values will be determined using an appraisal process.

30-year Easement -  USDA will provide an easement payment equal to 30 percent of the fair market value of the land, less the grazing value of the land for the period during which the land is encumbered by the easement.

For both easement options, USDA will provide all administrative costs associated with recording the easement, including appraisal fees, survey costs, title insurance, and recording fees. Easement payments may be provided, at the participant’s request, in lump sum or annual payments (equal or unequal amounts) for up to 10 years.

Restoration agreement -  If restoration is determined necessary by NRCS, a restoration agreement will be incorporated within the rental agreement or easement. Restoration is required when the grassland functions and values of the land need to be improved. Restoration is to be accomplished through the application of eligible conservation practices that enhance or restore native grasses, forbs, or shrubs. CCC will provide up to 90 percent of the restoration costs on lands that have never been cultivated, and up to 75 percent of the cost on restored grasslands. Participants will be paid upon certification of the completion of the eligible practice(s) by NRCS or an approved third party. Participants may contribute to the application of a cost-share practice through in-kind contributions.

For FY-2005 Hawaii NRCS has decided to NOT offer permanent and 30-year Easements.

Eligibility

Offers for enrollment must include a minimum of 40 contiguous acres. There is no maximum acreage set for Hawaii.

Only privately owned land is eligible for participation in GRP. Eligible lands include:
1) grassland or land that contains forbs or shrubs (including improved rangeland and pastureland); and 2) grassland or land that is located in an area that historically has been dominated by grassland, forbs, and shrubs and has potential to provide habitat for animal or plant populations of significant ecological value if the land is retained in its current use or restored to a natural condition. Incidental lands may be included to allow for the efficient administration of an agreement or easement.

Only landowners may submit applications for easements. Both landowners and operators (lessees) may submit applications for rental agreements. Operators (lessees) may submit applications for rental agreements only when they provide evidence that they will have control of the property for the length of the agreement and have landowner concurrence.

The Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) provision of the 2002 Farm Bill impacts eligibility for GRP. Individuals or entities that have an average adjusted gross income exceeding $2.5 million for the three tax years immediately preceding the application year, are not eligible to receive program benefits or payments. However, an exemption is provided in cases where 75 percent of the adjusted gross income is derived from farming, ranching, or forestry operations.

Hawaii GRP Contacts

Local Contact:

Please contact the District Conservationist in the Adobe Acrobat Document USDA Service Center (67.4 KB) nearest the location of your property.

Dennis Kimberlin
Assistant Director for Programs
Phone: (808) 541-2600 x 149
Email: Dennis.Kimberlin@hi.usda.gov

Michael Whitt
Resource Conservationist
Phone: (808) 541-2600 x 153
Email: Michael.Whitt@hi.usda.gov

Last Modified: 12/06/2007

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