Indiana Conservation Programs for Private Lands 1

Lead Agency/ Resources

Program Eligibility What is Offered Participant Obligations
Contact Addressed

MULTIPLE RESOURCS PROGRAMS

Environmental USDA-NRCS Private land in ag Water quality, soil Payment per unit of Work with NRCS to
Quality Incentives production (cropland, quality, air quality, practice installed develop and follow a
Program (EQIP) grassland, pastureland erosion, wildlife conservation plan and
& non-industrial habitat, managing assist with practice
forestland) forest lands installation costs
Wetlands Reserve USDA-NRCS Private ag land and Establishing wildlife Easement purchase, Work with NRCS to
Program (WRP) forested land habitat, water quality payment per unit of develop and follow a
incidental to an ag and quantity practice installed restoration and an
operation (cropland, for restoration & operation & maintenance
hayland, and maintenance plan; if necessary, assist
pastureland) activities with restoration cost
Conservation USDA-NRCS Private land in ag Conserve and Payment per unit of Follow a conservation
Stewardship production (cropland, enhance soil, water, practice installed plan, adopt additional
Program (CSP) grassland, pastureland air, and related activities, and improve,
& non-industrial natural resources maintain, and manage
forestland) existing activities
Grasslands Reserve USDA – NRCS Private grasslands Management of Annual rental Work with NRCS to
Program (GRP) and USDA - FSA grazing lands and payment for an develop and comply with
protection from threat agreement or a one easement or restoration
of conversion time payment for an agreement
easement
Conservation USDA – FSA FSA determined Management of lands Payment per unit of Agree to comply with
Reserve Program cropland that has for soil, water and practice installed, terms and conditions of
(CRP) certified cropping wildlife resources annual rental CRP-1 contract which
history 4 out of 6 base payments, and includes CRP-1, CRP-1
years annual maintenance (appendix) and
payment; incentive Conservation Plan for a
payments eligible period of 10 to 15 years
for certain practices

USDA is an equal opportunity provider & employer Updated 6/17/09

Indiana Conservation Programs for Private Lands 2

Lead Agency/ Resources

Program Eligibility What is Offered Participant Obligations
Contact Addressed

Conservation USDA – FSA, FSA determined Management of soil, Payment per unit of Agree to comply with
Reserve cropland that has water and wildlife practice installed, terms and conditions of
Enhancement ISDA – Division certified cropping resources annual rental CRP-1 contract which
Program (CREP) of Soil history 4 out of 6 base payments, and includes CRP-1, CRP-1
Conservation years and located annual maintenance (appendix) and
within an approved payment; incentive Conservation Plan for a
CREP priority payments eligible period of 14 -15 years
watershed for some practices;
Clean Water
Indiana incentive
payment of $400 or
$100 depending on
practice
Biomass Crop USDA – FSA To be Determined Energy To Be Determined To Be Determined
Assistance Program
(BCAP)
Certified Livestock ISDA Livestock Farms Water Quality, Publicly recognized Multiple requirements, see
Producer Program animal welfare, certification for 5 program details
wildlife habitat, bio- major components;
security, good insurance discounts
neighbor

USDA is an equal opportunity provider & employer Updated 6/17/09

Indiana Conservation Programs for Private Lands 3

Lead Agency/ Resources

Program Eligibility What is Offered Participant Obligations
Contact Addressed

WILDLIFE PROGRAMS

Wildlife Habitat USDA-NRCS Private land in ag Establish, restore and Payment per unit of Work with NRCS to
Incentive Program production (cropland, protect fish and practice installed prepare and follow a
(WHIP) grassland, pastureland wildlife habitat, wildlife habitat
& non-industrial reduce invasive development plan, assist
private forest land) species with installation costs
Wildlife Habitat IDNR – Division Private land 10 or Establish and Up to $1,000 not to Agree to maintain practices
Cost-Share of Fish and more acres maintain wildlife exceed established according to mgmt. plan
Program Wildlife habitat/wetlands rates for a minimum of 5 years
Game Bird Habitat IDNR – Division Private land 10 or Establish and Up to 100 % of Agree to maintain practices
Development of Fish and more acres maintain pheasant, actual cost, not to according to mgmt. plan
Program Wildlife quail, turkey or exceed $100/acre for a minimum of 3 years
grouse habitat
Tall Fescue IDNR – Division Private land Convert tall fescue to Up to 75 % of Agree to maintain practices
Conversion of Fish and wildlife friendly actual cost, according to mgmt. plan
Program Wildlife grass/legume mixes additional cost- for a minimum of 10 years
share may be
available
Pheasant Habitat IDNR – Division Private land in a State Establish and Incentives for CRP Agree to maintain practices
Incentive Program of Fish and Pheasant Habitat maintain pheasant enrollment & mid- according to mgmt. plan
Wildlife Priority Area habitat contract mgmt for a minimum of 3 years
activities; enhanced
cost-share for
pheasant habitat
establishment and
maintenance
Indiana Rights of IDNR – Division Must own property Establishment of Plantings are Agree to maintain right of
Way for Wildlife of Fish and having a Cinergy wildlife friendly established free of way according to mgmt.
Program Wildlife (Duke Energy) power grasses/legumes and charge by Cinergy plan prepared by District
line right of way perennial food plots contracted crews Wildlife Biologist
USDA is an equal opportunity provider & employer Updated 6/17/09
Indiana Conservation Programs for Private Lands 4

Lead Agency/ Resources

Program Eligibility What is Offered Participant Obligations
Contact Addressed

Quail Habitat IDNR – Division Private land in a State Establishment and Incentive payments Agree to maintain practices
Incentive Program of Fish and Quail Habitat Priority maintenance of quail for CRP enrollment according to mgmt. plan
Wildlife Area habitat and Mid Contract for a minimum of 3 years
Management
Activities;
enhanced cost-share
for quail habitat
establishment and
maintenance
Northeastern IDNR – Division Must own restorable Restoration of Up to 100% cost- Agree to maintain restored
Indiana of Fish and grasslands or wetlands and native share for wetland habitat for 10 years
Wetland/Grassland Wildlife wetlands in Allen, grassland habitat restorations; up to according to
Restoration DeKalb, Elkhart, 100% cost-share for agreement/mgmt. plan
Program Kosciusko, LaGrange, native grassland
Noble, Steuben, or restorations in
Whitley counties association with
existing or restored
wetlands
Wildlife Habitat IDNR – Division Private land 10 or Preparation of On-site visit, None
Improvement of Fish and more acres wildlife management technical assistance
Program Wildlife plan to meet and mgmt. plan
landowner’s wildlife developed at no
objectives charge
Partners for Fish U.S. Fish and Private lands Restoration or Cost-share: Agree to maintain restored
and Wildlife Wildlife Service statewide, higher enhancement of Wetlands: up to or enhanced habitat
Program priority for targeted wetland, native 100%; Native according to landowner
Focus Areas grassland, and forest Grassland & agreement and project plan
habitats for migratory Reforestation: up to for a minimum of 10 years
birds or threatened/ 80% (up to 100% in (15 years for reforestation
endangered species priority endangered projects)
species areas)

USDA is an equal opportunity provider & employer Updated 6/17/09

Indiana Conservation Programs for Private Lands 5

Lead Agency/ Resources

Program Eligibility What is Offered Participant Obligations
Contact Addressed

FORESTRY PROGRAMS
Healthy Forests USDA - NRCS Non-industrial Restoring and Easement purchase, Work with NRCS to
Reserve Program private forest enhancing forest payment per unit of develop and follow a
(HFRP) landowners in ecosystems to: practice installed restoration and an
targeted geographic recover threatened operation & maintenance
areas and endangered plan; if necessary, assist
species, improve with restoration cost
biodiversity; and
enhance carbon
sequestration
Indiana Woodland IDNR-Forestry Non-industrial Managing forest Cost-share dollars Follow a prescribed
Restoration private forest lands, water quality, for forest practice plan and assist
Program (IWRP) landowners soil erosion restoration and with practice installation
(limited (minimum of 10 enhancement costs
availability) acres)
Indiana Classified IDNR-Forestry Privately owned with Managing forest Property tax Enrolled lands must be
Forest and a minimum of 10 lands, water quality, reduction and protected from
Wildlands Program contiguous acres and soil erosion, wildlife written development, livestock
(CF&W) support a growth of habitat management plan; grazing, and wildfire;
native or planted Green certification landowners must also
trees, grass, or available on follow the management
wetlands eligible forested plan provided
tracts
Forest Legacy IDNR-Forestry Forest and Managing forest Conservation
compatible lands lands, water quality, agreements
within designated soil erosion, wildlife (easements) to
priority areas habitat restrict
development and
retain forest for
traditional forest
uses
USDA is an equal opportunity provider & employer Updated 6/17/09
Indiana Conservation Programs for Private Lands 6

Lead Agency/ Resources

Program Eligibility What is Offered Participant Obligations
Contact Addressed

WATER QUALITY PROGRAMS

Lake and River IDNR – Division of Generally private Soil erosion, nutrient Cost-share for Agree to prepare and
Enhancement Fish and Wildlife land in ag production runoff conservation follow a whole-farm plan,
Program (LARE) in designated practices assist with implementation
watersheds costs
Clean Water ISDA and SSCB, Determined by the Water quality and Contact local Determined by the local
Indiana (CWI) program is local SWCD likely many others SWCD for details SWCD
Funding administered determined by the
locally by SWCDs local SWCD
§ 319(h) Nonpoint IDEM Nonprofit groups, Watersheds in areas 60% grant funding 40% (non-federal) in-kind
Source Water universities, and with waterbodies on for projects that or cash match of the total
Pollution Program local, State or Federal the State 303(d) List reduce documented project cost. Develop or
government agencies of Impaired NPS water quality implement watershed
Waterbodies or in impairments management plans,
areas with approved TMDLs, provide technical
TMDLs; lands and assistance, demonstrate
areas contributing to new technology & provide
NPS water pollution education & outreach
§ 205(j) Water IDEM Regional planning Water quality 100 % grant Water quality management
Quality organizations and planning; to determine
Management Interstate nature, extent and causes of
Planning Commissions, point and NPS water
nonprofit groups, and pollution problems
local, State or Federal
government

USDA is an equal opportunity provider & employer Updated 6/17/09

Indiana Conservation Programs for Private Lands 7

Lead Agency/ Resources

Program Eligibility What is Offered Participant Obligations
Contact Addressed

EMERGENCY PROGRAMS
Emergency USDA - NRCS Private and public Provides emergency 75% cost share for Obtain necessary land
Watershed land affected by a measures for run-off construction costs rights and permits.
Protection (EWP) sudden watershed retardation and of emergency Administer local contracts.
impairment. A erosion control to measures Provide local share of
project must be areas where life or installation costs. Perform
sponsored by a local property are operation and management
unit of government threatened on repaired work
Floodplain USDA - NRCS Private and public Water quality, flood A permanent Implement an NRCS
Easement Program land subject to reduction, and easement is restoration plan
(FEP) frequent flooding groundwater recharge purchased on the
land enrolled in the
program
Emergency USDA – FSA Cropland acreage Rehabilitation of Cost-share not to Must perform activities to
Conservation damaged by a natural damaged cropland exceed 75% as restore cropland as
Program (ECP) disaster determined by the required by FSA
FSA County
Committee
Emergency USDA – FSA Non-Industrial Rehabilitation of Cost-share not to Must perform activities to
Forestry Private Forest Lands damaged forest land exceed 75% as restore forestland as
Conservation damaged by natural determined by FSA required by FSA
Program (EFCP) disaster County Committee

USDA is an equal opportunity provider & employer Updated 6/17/09

Contact Information:
USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service – Contact your local District Conservationist at your local USDA Service Center. USDA
Service Center locations can be found at: http://www.in.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/directory/dclist.html. Additional Indiana NRCS program information is
available at http://www.in.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ .
USDA-Farm Service Agency – Contact your local County Executive Director at your local USDA Service Center. Contact information can be found at
http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=in&agency=fsa. Additional Indiana FSA program information is available at
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/stateoffapp?mystate=in&area=home&subject=landing&topic=landing.

Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) and State Soil Conservation Board (SSCB) – Contact the Indiana State Department of Agriculture
at 317-232-8770 or find additional information at http://www.in.gov/isda/2346.htm .
Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) – you can find contact information for any of the 92 Soil and Water Conservation Districts
around Indiana at http://www.in.gov/isda/2408.htm .
Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) – Contact the Watershed Planning Branch at 317-233-8488 or find additional
information at http://www.in.gov/idem/4381.htm . A wide-ranging (beyond the ICP) funding matrix may be found at: http://www.in.gov/idem/4103.htm
Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) - Division of Forestry – Contact your local District Forester at their regional office. An office
listing can be found at: http://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/4750.htm. Additional Division of Forestry program information is available at:
http://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/2845.htm.
Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) - Division of Fish and Wildlife – Contact your local District Wildlife Biologist. District Wildlife
Biologist contact information can be found at: http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/2716.htm. Additional Division of Fish and Wildlife program information
can be found at: http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3024.htm
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - Contact the State Private Lands Coordinator at 812-334-4261, x.212 or visit http://www.fws.gov/partners/

Additional Information:
Some programs may have permit requirements, such as construction permits prior to installing conservation practices, wetland permits, construction
along navigable waters permits, etc. Check with individual program contacts to find out more about potential permit requirements for a given program.
Many Soil and Water Conservation Districts and non-profit groups offer additional local conservation program opportunities, such as Pheasants Forever,
The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, RC&Ds, etc. Opportunities vary by location. Check with your local Soil and Water Conservation District
(contact information listed above) for information on programs in your area.
All programs are subject to changes in eligibility or scope, please use the web links for the most current program information.

This document is intended for internal use by Indiana Conservation Partnership staff.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider & employer Updated July, 2009