NB_300_23_14 - NB 300-23-14 LTP - Fiscal Year 2023 Implementation and New Enrollment Guidance for the Inflation Reduction Act Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
NB 300-23-14 LTP - Fiscal Year 2023 Implementation and New Enrollment Guidance for the Inflation Reduction Act Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
National
Bulletin:
300-23-14
Date:
February 16, 2023
Subject:
LTP - Fiscal Year 2023 Implementation and New Enrollment Guidance for the
Inflation Reduction Act Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
Purpose. This national bulletin provides states with specific guidance and timelines for administering Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) applications and enrollments funded using the authority under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
Expiration Date. September 30, 2023
Background. This guidance introduces the policy and procedures for phase 1 implementation of the IRA ACEP to accept and evaluate applications. This guidance supplements the ACEP regulation (7 CFR 1468), policy manuals (440 CPM 527–528), and other national directives that set forth requirements for implementing ACEP. The guidance provided in this bulletin applies to all of IRA ACEP unless specified that the provision only applies to either the agricultural land easement component (ACEP-ALE) or the wetland reserve easement component (ACEP-WRE). This guidance supplements NB 300-23-3 and other ACEP enrollment guidance provided prior to this bulletin.
Explanation. This national bulletin and its attachments provide the following FY 2023 applicable guidance for phase 1 implementation of IRA-funded ACEP:
• National sign-up, news releases, and timeline
• Application data entry
• Application due diligence
• National ranking pools
• IRA ACEP land eligibility and target areas
• IRA ACEP enrollment types
• IRA ACEP FY 2023 Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) elements added for IRA
This guidance must be followed in conjunction with applicable statute, regulation, policy, and other national directives. Guidance for phase 2 will be provided at a later date.
Contact. Direct general questions regarding the regulation, policy, or guidance to the Easement Policy Branch email box at EasementSupport@usda.gov.
Direct specific questions about individual projects, allocations, or specific FY 2023 implementation issues to the appropriate national easement program manager.
For questions regarding the National Easement Staging Tool (NEST), contact Nestsupport@usda.gov.