WHIP

The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) is a voluntary program that encourages creation of high quality wildlife habitats that support wildlife populations. Through WHIP, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides technical and financial assistance to landowners and others to develop upland, wetland, riparian, and aquatic habitat areas on their property.
NRCS places emphasis on enrolling habitats for wildlife species experiencing declining populations, practices beneficial to fish and wildlife that may not be otherwise funded, and wildlife and fishery habitats identified by local and state partners.

Applications for WHIP are accepted on a continuous sign-up basis. The application process is as follows:

· Points are awarded (ranked) according to the amount of habitat being created or enhanced, types of practices being implemented, cost-share rate selected, benefits to threatened or endangered species and proximity to protected areas.

· Applications received before a pre-determined cutoff date are collected and placed in order according to ranking score, with highest points first. Applicants are selected for funding based on ranking.

· Applicants are notified by an NRCS representative and a Wildlife Habitat Development Plan is prepared with the landowner to implement the practices outlined in the application

· The landowner enters into a cost-share agreement (usually 5 to 10 years) installing and maintaining the WHIP practices.

· NRCS reimburses the landowner for work completed, based upon an on-site inspection, review of all receipts for materials and labor, and the agreed to cost-share rate.

Some limitations for WHIP include:

· The landowner must complete all specified work within at least 2 years prior to the expiration date of the agreement.

· All payments made by NRCS will be to the landowner.

· NRCS will not make any payments without final inspection.

· The maximum cost share limit that a landowner can receive is $25,000 per agreement.

· Other non-NRCS funding sources can be used to supplement the 75% NRCS cost-share. This supplement cannot exceed 100% of the cost of the practice.

· All practices specified must meet the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide.

· Any practice started before the cost-share agreement has been approved is ineligible for financial assistance.

If interested in this program and would like more information contact Dave Hines, NRCS District Conservationist or Bill Lambert, NRCS Soil Conservationist at 925-3710 ext. 3.

You can also visit the USDA’s website for more information on this and other 2002 Farm Bill programs at:

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/farmbill/2002/products.html