WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced up to $225 million in available funding for conservation partners through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). RCPP is a partner-driven program that leverages collective resources to find solutions to address natural resource challenges on agricultural land. This year’s funding announcements include opportunities for projects that address climate change, benefit historically underserved producers and support urban agriculture.

“RCPP is public-private partnership at its best,” said Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Terry Cosby. “We’re harnessing the power of partnership to create lasting solutions to global challenges, like climate change, and support producers and communities who have been underserved in the past.”   
 
There are two types of funding opportunities under RCPP:  RCPP Classic and RCPP Alternative Funding Arrangements (AFA). RCPP Classic projects are implemented using NRCS contracts and easements with producers, landowners and communities, in collaboration with project partners. Through RCPP AFA, partners have more flexibility in working directly with agricultural producers to support the development of new conservation structures and approaches that would not otherwise be available under RCPP Classic. Project types that may be suited to AFA, as highlighted by the 2018 Farm Bill include:

• Projects that use innovative approaches to leverage the federal investment in conservation.
• Projects that deploy a pay-for-performance conservation approach.
• Projects that seek large-scale infrastructure investment that generate conservation benefits for agricultural producers and nonindustrial private forest owners.  

USDA is accepting project proposals for both components of RCPP through 11:59 p.m. on April 13, 2022. View the funding opportunity on grants.gov for RCPP Classic      and RCPP AFA     .
 
Additionally, a webinar with general program information for RCPP applicants is scheduled for 3-4:30 p.m. ET on Jan. 20, 2022. Visit the RCPP website for information on how to participate.
 
Funding is open to agriculture and silviculture associations, non-government organizations, Indian tribes, state and local governments, conservation districts and universities, among others.  
 
Partners are expected to offer value-added contributions to amplify the impact of RCPP funding in an amount equal to or greater than the NRCS investment.   
 
Private landowners can apply to participate in an RCPP project in their region through awarded partners or at their local USDA service center     .  

More Information

First authorized in the 2014 Farm Bill, RCPP has leveraged partner contributions of more than $1 for every $1 invested by USDA, resulting in nearly $3 billion collectively invested in natural resource conservation on private lands. Since inception, RCPP has made 579 awards involving over 3,000 partner organizations. Currently there are 408 active projects, with at least one active project in every state and area. Successful RCPP projects provide innovative conservation solutions, leverage partner contributions and offer impactful and measurable outcomes.
 
Today’s RCPP announcement builds on other efforts by the Biden-Harris Administration to address climate change. Earlier this week, NRCS announced a new Cover Crop Initiative, available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to help agricultural producers mitigate climate change through the widespread adoption of cover crops. NRCS also announced the signup for EQIP Conservation Incentive Contracts and an improvement to the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).  

 Last week, USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced details of the new Post Application Coverage Endorsement, providing coverage for corn producers who “split apply nitrogen,” a more conservation friendly way to apply fertilizer.

The DCR Managing Floodplain Development through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) course provides an organized training opportunity for local officials responsible for administering their local floodplain management ordinance. The course will focus on the National Flood Insurance Program, flood insurance rate maps, flood insurance studies, ordinance administration, and other floodplain management topics.

For more information on this course, please visit EMI’s course description page here: 
(https://www.firstrespondertraining.gov/frts/npccatalog?catalog=EMI).

Location:
Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center
One Partnership Circle
Abingdon VA 24210

L-273 Course (4 days):
Monday, January 24 – Thursday, January 27, 2022
8:00am – 5:00pm

*CFM Exam:
Friday, January 28, 2022
9:00am – 12:00pm

The training facility is within the vicinity of a variety of food and lodging establishments. Food will not be provided as part of this training.

The Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) exam will be offered on Friday, January 28, 2022 following this training.

If you have any questions, please contact Angela Davis and 804-371-6135 or Angela.Davis@dcr.virginia.gov.

RICHMOND — Virginia State Parks is seeking qualified candidates to fill Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) summer residential service opportunities across the state. Two three-week programs will be offered this summer.

YCC crews will assist Virginia State Parks staff with a range of operational projects including, but not limited to, trail maintenance, habitat improvement, and campground construction and restoration. Room and board is provided to all YCC crew serving at Virginia State Parks.

Applications for both crew leaders and crew members are being accepted for the following sessions:

Session 1: June 19 – July 9, 2022 (Leaders must arrive June 17)
Session 2: July 17 – Aug. 6, 2022 (Leaders must arrive July 15)

YCC Crew Members

Crew members will gain valuable experience in trade skills and resource management. Ideal applicants for crew member positions are young adults 14-17 years of age who have an interest in environmental protection, the physical ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions and the desire to make a difference in the community they serve. Crew members who successfully complete a three-week service program will receive 120 service learning hours and a $500 stipend. Applicants for crew member positions are being accepted through March 14.

YCC Crew Leaders

Crew leaders will supervise a group of 10 YCC crew members and work directly with park staff to complete a variety of projects. Upon completion of a three-week program, crew leaders will receive a $1,800 stipend and $350 travel stipend. All crew leaders are required to attend training at Twin Lakes State Park June 13-16.

For continuity of the service programs, crew leaders are encouraged to apply for both three-week sessions. Eligible crew leaders will be entering their junior year of college or equivalent. Applications for crew leaders are being accepted until filled.

Those interested can visit www.virginiastateparks.gov/youth-conservation-corps to learn more and apply.

Due to COVID-19, Virginia State Parks reserves the right to make changes to YCC programs to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

Third round of Community Flood Preparedness Fund grant opportunities available to address recurrent flooding, sea level rise and extreme weather.

RICHMOND — The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation today announced the opening of the third grant round for the Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund.

During the next 90 days, communities across Virginia will be able to apply for $40 million in grants to address the effects of recurrent flooding, sea level rise and extreme weather. Applications are due by 4 p.m. on April 8.

The fund was established by the 2020 General Assembly session. The fund is financed by the sale of carbon emission allowances under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI. Virginia joined RGGI in January 2021.

The fund assists coastal localities with the implementation of Virginia’s Coastal Resilience Master Plan and enables localities across Virginia to increase their capacity to develop flood mitigation and prevention projects.

Information about the fund, eligibility rules, application procedures and instructions are available in the fund’s grant manual, which is posted at www.dcr.virginia.gov/cfpf.

The Community Flood Preparedness Fund continues to prioritize projects that are of community-scale, in concert with local, state and federal floodplain management standards, approved local resilience plans, and the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan.

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, in cooperation with the Virginia Resources Authority, administers the fund and grant program. DCR oversees the state’s floodplain management and dam safety programs and assists communities with requirements related to the National Flood Insurance Program.

The NOAA Coastal Management Fellowship provides on-the-job education and training opportunities in coastal resource management and policy for postgraduate students. Up to nine fellows are placed with state coastal programs every year to provide project assistance to state coastal zone management programs selected by NOAA. This two-year opportunity offers a competitive salary, medical benefits, and travel and relocation expense reimbursement.

To read about the 2022 projects, visit the Coastal Management Fellowship and Digital Coast Fellowship websites (links are listed under NOAA Web Resources.) Previous fellows have had degrees in environmental studies, natural resource management, marine affairs, marine science, geology, public affairs, communications, social sciences, or regional land management. The most important prerequisite is an interest in coastal issues. 

• Eligibility: Any student completing a master’s or other advanced degree from an accredited U.S. university between August 1, 2020, and July 31, 2022. Students must also be U.S. citizens. Students from a broad range of programs are encouraged to apply. 
• Funding: The current fellowship salary is $42,000 per year for two years.
• Important Dates: Applications deadline is January 21, 2022 before 5:00PM EST.
• Visit the fellowship website: www.coast.noaa.gov/fellowship 

Application Submission & eSeaGrant

Applications must be submitted online via eSeaGrant. If you plan to apply, we recommend registering for eSeaGrant at least two weeks in advance of the deadline. As outlined in the fellowship announcement, VASG cannot accept late applications. Please allow ample time to submit your application.

All applications must include the following items: 

1. Resume or curriculum vitae (not to exceed two pages using 12 point font). 

2. Statement of the applicant’s goals with emphasis on what the applicant expects from and can contribute to the fellowship experience. This should also include how the fellowship can help reach goals that may be difficult to reach without the fellowship opportunity. Include any obstacles that have been overcome to reach this point in your academic career (500 words or less). 

3. Two letters of recommendation, including one from the applicant’s principal professor. If no principal professor exists, the faculty member who is most familiar with the applicant’s academic work may be substituted. 

4. Unofficial copies of all undergraduate and graduate student transcripts. 

Any additional materials submitted will not be considered in the selection process. If you are selected as a finalist, an additional writing sample will be requested. Please reference the fellowship fact sheet and websites for complete instructions.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Elaine Luria today urged House leadership to prioritize defense spending and avoid a year-long Continuing Resolution, which would have disastrous consequences for Coastal Virginia’s economy and America’s national security. In a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Congresswoman Luria said failing to pass appropriations legislation for Fiscal Year 2022 jeopardizes a pay raise for servicemembers and would cost the U.S. Navy $14 billion.

“It is our duty to provide the resources needed for our government to function, our military to be ready to respond, and our workers to continue to put food on the table,” Rep. Luria said in the letter. “We must act swiftly to pass the Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations bills, and I urge you to make this the top priority for the Congress in the coming days.”

A copy of the letter is available here and below:

Dear Speaker Pelosi:

I write today gravely concerned with the lack of action on Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations bills, particularly securing funding for our national defense. This week, the House is preparing to pass another Continuing Resolution, extending current funding levels through mid-February. I fear that without greater urgency it is becoming increasingly likely that we may take up a year-long continuing resolution, which would have a disastrous impact on Coastal Virginia. Simply kicking the can down the road could undermine the considerable economic progress made since the start of the pandemic, disrupt our major industries and employers, and make the lives of my constituents, already burdened by inflation, more difficult.

One in five people in my community are active duty servicemembers, veterans, or military family members. Subverting the normal appropriations process and passing a one-year continuing resolution could jeopardize paychecks, livelihoods, and the long-term economic future of our regional economy. Failing to pass a spending bill could nullify the 2.7 percent pay raise for our servicemembers recently authorized by the House Armed Services Committee. A year-long continuing resolution could force staff shortages at VA facilities that are already overburdened, increasing wait times and case backlogs, and preventing our veterans from accessing the care they need. In a time of economic uncertainty, we should be doing all we can to provide stability and reassurance to our constituents, including fully funding the government.

The Navy, both a major employer in my community and a cornerstone of our nation’s national security, estimates a loss of $14 billion in purchasing power in the event of a year-long continuing resolution. Billions of dollars would be diverted away from key Department of Defense priorities to compensate for the cuts that would need to take place because of a stopgap funding measure. This would prevent the Navy from acquiring ships, weapons, and equipment central to our national defense and the safety and security of the world. Uncertainty about funding would harm the shipbuilding industry for years at the worst possible time. Anything that weakens the Navy threatens our ability to defend democracy abroad. America’s enemies will no doubt leverage any limitations created by this funding lapse.

It is our duty to provide the resources needed for our government to function, our military to be ready to respond, and our workers to continue to put food on the table. We must act swiftly to pass the Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations bills, and I urge you to make this the top priority for the Congress in the coming days.

Sincerely,
Elaine G. Luria
Member of Congress