Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS IA EWPP FPE 23 NOFO0001294
Implementation of Restoration Activities for Iowa Floodplain Easement Programs is a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) funding opportunity focused on restoring floodplains in Iowa through the Emergency Watershed Protection Program - Floodplain Easement (EWPP-FPE). This is a voluntary program where NRCS can purchase floodplain easements from willing landowners as an alternative to more traditional disaster recovery actions under EWP. The idea is that, in certain locations, buying an easement and restoring the floodplain is a more economical and practical way to reduce long-term threats to life and property than repeatedly repairing damage after floods. The program can also be used when specifically authorized through individual appropriations.
The opportunity is structured as a discretionary cooperative agreement, meaning NRCS expects to work closely with selected partners rather than simply issuing a hands-off grant. NRCS is seeking proposals from qualified individuals and organizations that can provide the specialized technical and on-the-ground assistance needed to implement conservation plans tied to these easements. In practical terms, this centers on activities that help return floodplain areas to more natural, functioning conditions, which can include planning, design support, and restoration implementation work associated with EWPP-FPE projects across Iowa.
Awards are expected to be made under a five-year agreement framework, with total funding described as approximately $5 million if funds are available. The notice lists an award ceiling of $5,000,000 and anticipates making around five awards. The funding activity aligns with agriculture, environment, and natural resources (CFDA 10.923), reflecting the program's conservation and hazard-mitigation purpose.
Eligibility is broad and includes state and county governments, public and private institutions of higher education, federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations, nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), and small businesses. This wide eligibility suggests NRCS is open to partnering with a range of entities that can demonstrate relevant expertise in floodplain restoration, conservation planning support, and coordination needed to carry out easement-related restoration work.
Applications had to be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on July 10, 2023. Applicants experiencing technical problems with the Grants.gov system were directed to Grants.gov Applicant Support (phone and email provided), with a clear note that NRCS staff would not assist with Grants.gov account issues. Questions to the agency were limited to clarifying specific contents of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (for example, dates or discrepancies), and the agency stated it would not respond to questions about eligibility determinations or the strength of a particular proposal.
NRCS indicated it expected to make selection decisions by July 31, 2023, and aimed to execute awards by September 16, 2023, while noting these timelines were estimates and could change. The opportunity is identified in the source listing as USDA NRCS IA EWPP FPE 23 NOFO0001294, created May 26, 2023, under the Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service.Apply for USDA NRCS IA EWPP FPE 23 NOFO0001294
- The Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Implementation of Restoration Activities for Iowa Floodplain Easement Programs" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.923.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 26, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 10, 2023. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $5,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Small businesses.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the "Implementation of Restoration Activities for Iowa Floodplain Easement Programs" opportunity?
This is a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) funding opportunity focused on restoring floodplains in Iowa through the Emergency Watershed Protection Program - Floodplain Easement (EWPP-FPE). It supports work needed to implement conservation plans tied to floodplain easements and restore floodplain areas toward more natural, functioning conditions.
What program is this funding tied to?
The funding is tied to the Emergency Watershed Protection Program - Floodplain Easement (EWPP-FPE), which is part of NRCS efforts to reduce long-term flood-related risks by purchasing easements and restoring floodplains.
What is the purpose of EWPP-FPE in Iowa?
The purpose is to reduce long-term threats to life and property from flooding by purchasing floodplain easements from willing landowners and restoring those floodplain areas. NRCS describes this approach as, in certain locations, more economical and practical than repeatedly repairing flood damage after disasters.
Is the floodplain easement program voluntary for landowners?
Yes. The EWPP-FPE is described as a voluntary program where NRCS can purchase floodplain easements from willing landowners.
How does this approach differ from traditional disaster recovery actions under EWP?
Instead of repeatedly repairing damage after floods, NRCS may purchase a floodplain easement and restore the floodplain. In certain locations, NRCS considers this a more economical and practical long-term solution to reduce recurring flood impacts.
What type of funding instrument is being used?
The opportunity is structured as a discretionary cooperative agreement. This means NRCS expects to work closely with selected partners, rather than issuing a hands-off grant.
What kinds of activities are supported under this opportunity?
The opportunity focuses on specialized technical and on-the-ground assistance needed to implement conservation plans tied to EWPP-FPE easements across Iowa. The description includes planning, design support, and restoration implementation work associated with floodplain restoration.
Where will the work take place?
The opportunity is focused on EWPP-FPE projects across Iowa and is aimed at restoring floodplains in Iowa.
How long is the agreement period?
Awards are expected to be made under a five-year agreement framework.
How much funding is available?
Total funding is described as approximately $5 million, if funds are available.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The notice lists an award ceiling of $5,000,000.
How many awards does NRCS expect to make?
NRCS anticipates making around five awards.
What is the CFDA/assistance listing number and program area?
The funding activity aligns with agriculture, environment, and natural resources and is listed under CFDA 10.923.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes state governments, county governments, public and private institutions of higher education, federally recognized tribal governments, other tribal organizations, nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), and small businesses.
Does NRCS limit eligibility to only government agencies?
No. In addition to state and county governments, eligibility includes nonprofits, higher education institutions (public and private), tribal governments/organizations, and small businesses.
What is NRCS looking for in applicants/partners?
NRCS is seeking qualified individuals and organizations that can provide specialized technical and on-the-ground assistance to implement conservation plans associated with EWPP-FPE easements, including planning, design support, coordination, and restoration implementation work.
How and where were applications submitted?
Applications had to be submitted through Grants.gov.
What was the application deadline?
The deadline was 11:59 pm Eastern Time on July 10, 2023.
What if an applicant had technical problems with Grants.gov?
Applicants experiencing technical problems with the Grants.gov system were directed to contact Grants.gov Applicant Support using the phone and email provided in the notice.
Will NRCS staff help with Grants.gov account or system issues?
No. The notice states that NRCS staff would not assist with Grants.gov account issues.
What kinds of questions would NRCS answer about the opportunity?
Questions to the agency were limited to clarifying specific contents of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (for example, dates or discrepancies).
What kinds of questions would NRCS not answer?
NRCS stated it would not respond to questions about eligibility determinations or about the strength of a particular proposal.
When were selection decisions expected?
NRCS indicated it expected to make selection decisions by July 31, 2023.
When were awards expected to be executed?
NRCS aimed to execute awards by September 16, 2023.
Are the selection and award timelines guaranteed?
No. NRCS noted these timelines were estimates and could change.
What is the opportunity identifier/name as listed?
The opportunity is identified as USDA NRCS IA EWPP FPE 23 NOFO0001294.
When was this opportunity created/posted?
The source listing states it was created May 26, 2023.
Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS).
Can EWPP-FPE be used only after disasters?
The description frames EWPP-FPE as an alternative to more traditional disaster recovery actions under EWP, and it also notes the program can be used when specifically authorized through individual appropriations.
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