NB_300_22_43 - NB 300-22-43 LTP – Extension of Authority to Provide Coronavirus Agricultural Relief Payments (CARPs)
NB 300-22-43 LTP – Extension of Authority to Provide Coronavirus Agricultural Relief Payments (CARPs)
National Bulletin: 300-22-43 
Date: June 14, 2022 
Subject: LTP – Extension of Authority to Provide Coronavirus Agricultural Relief Payments (CARPs) 


Action Required By:   December 31, 2022  
 
Purpose.   To provide an extension for administering CARPs from the previous practice-completion deadline of March 31, 2022, until December 31, 2022, for eligible Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) contracts. This Bulletin supersedes the rescinded NB 300-22-38 LTP, issued on May 18, 2022.   
 
Expiration Date.   September 30, 2023  
 
Background.   The 2019 Coronavirus disease disrupted agricultural output and global supply chains. As a result, prices on certain commodities (e.g., lumber, steel, polyvinyl chloride, and concrete) that are commonly used for NRCS practices and activities have increased dramatically. These higher material prices have been associated with delayed practice implementation and cancellation requests. For participants who continue to implement their practices within their contracts, the increased material prices have generated additional financial costs that were not anticipated at the time of contract obligation.

NRCS conducted an economic analysis to determine which practices were most likely to be affected by increases in commodity prices for at least five Farm Bill programs spanning fiscal years (FYs) 2015 through 2021. To reduce the impacts to participants and ensure that contracts could be implemented in a timely manner, NRCS made additional financial assistance (CARPs) available to participants with FY 2012 through FY 2021 EQIP contracts that included the scenarios most affected by higher commodity prices. These CARPs were provided for practices completed between January 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022. See Attachment A for details on providing CARPs.  
 
Explanation.  

NRCS is extending the deadline for practices that are eligible for CARPs. The previous practice-completion deadline was March 31, 2022, and the new practice-completion deadline is December 31, 2022. States should provide CARPs to eligible participants for practices completed by December 31, 2022, in accordance with the guidance in Attachments A through D.

 

Note: Only active FY 2012-2021 contracts are eligible for CARPs. Expired, canceled, and terminated contracts are not eligible to receive a CARP.

 

Required Actions

1.    Follow the instructions in Attachments A through D for providing CARPs, and apply a practice-completion deadline of December 31, 2022, for the NHQ-funded CARPs. Ensure that CARPs are provided for the “lapsed” period between the previous practice-completion date of March 31, 2022, and the date this national bulletin is posted. States may choose whether to extend the deadline on the optional State-funded CARP rate.

2.    Process CARPs as appropriate.

 
 
Contact.   Direct questions to the FAPD SharePoint Site    
 
 

 /s/

  CLINT EVANS  
  Deputy Chief for Programs 

 
 
Attachment A: Administering Coronavirus Agricultural Relief Payments
Attachment B: Practices Eligible for CARP Adjustments
Attachment C: Payment Review Checklist for CARPs
Attachment D: Participant Notification Letter for CARPs
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