NB_450_23_5 - NB 450-23-5 TCH – Payment Rate Changes for Conservation Evaluation and Monitoring Activity Indigenous Stewardship Methods Evaluation (Code 222)
NB 450-23-5 TCH – Payment Rate Changes for Conservation Evaluation and Monitoring Activity Indigenous Stewardship Methods Evaluation (Code 222)
National Bulletin: 450-23-5  
Date: March 16, 2023
Subject: TCH – Payment Rate Changes for Conservation Evaluation and Monitoring Activity Indigenous Stewardship Methods Evaluation (Code 222)Enter 



 
Purpose.   This national bulletin provides instruction to states for using the geographically specific payment scenarios (GSPS) process to revise the payment rates for the Conservation Evaluation and Monitoring Activity (CEMA) titled Indigenous Stewardship Methods Evaluation (ISME) (Code 222).    
 
Expiration Date.   September 30, 2023  
 
Background.   NB 450-23-1 authorizes the use of GSPS created in Conservation Desktop (CD) and communicates that “states may not change Conservation Planning Activity (CPA), Design and Implementation Activities (DIA), Conservation Evaluation and Monitoring Activity (CEMA), enhancements, or bundles.” This bulletin provides an exception for the ISME CEMA (Code 222) to achieve NRCS equity and implementation goals.     
 
Explanation.  

NRCS provides the ISME CEMA (Code 222) to support the broad scope of implementation methodologies used by Tribes and other indigenous producers. This CEMA represents part of the broader equity-driven mission of NRCS to support traditional methods of agricultural production while still achieving conservation benefit. Given the complexities in the scope of this CEMA, the unknowns in its specific use circumstances, and NRCS’s respect for Tribes’ right to self-determination, additional flexibilities are provided for the ISME CEMA (Code 222).

States cannot modify the ISME CEMA (Code 222) scenarios in the Payment Schedule Application (PSA). However, the cost list may be modified at the state-level in CD. For this purpose, a recent update to the business tool allows for modification of CEMA payment rates in CD. Previous guidance for all other practices should be followed. This bulletin solely provides an exemption to NB 450-23-1 to allow changes to the ISME CEMA (Code 222) cost list.

States that change the ISME CEMA (Code 222) payment rate are asked to provide a brief description of the change to the Conservation Planning Branch Chief Aaron Lauster (aaron.lauster@usda.gov) so that the information may be used for future updates to the CEMA’s payment schedule scenarios.

   
 
Contact.  

Direct questions about the content of this bulletin through the appropriate state contact to the Financial Assistance Programs Division SharePoint webpage.

 
 
 

 /s/

LOUIS ASPEY
Associate Chief
 

 
 
   
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