Agricultural Conservation Easement Program

Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Type: Program Sponsor organization: Natural Resources Conservation Service Creation Legislation: Agricultural Act of 2014 Website: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/easements/acep/

Mission ACEP aims to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands and protect working farms and ranches through conservation easements. It supports the long-term viability of agricultural lands and environmental benefits.

The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) helps landowners, land trusts, and other entities to protect agricultural lands and wetlands from conversion to non-agricultural uses.

It is divided into two main components, each focusing on different conservation goals:

• Agricultural Land Easements (ALE)
• Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE)

Official Site

Goals

• Protect agricultural lands for long-term agricultural use.
• Restore, protect, and enhance wetlands on eligible lands.
• Prevent conversion of agricultural lands to non-agricultural uses.
• Specific metrics include acres of land under easements, improvements in water quality, and habitat enhancement for wildlife.

Organization

ACEP is administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It involves partnerships with state and local governments, non-profits, and Native American tribes for funding and managing easements. Funding comes through annual appropriations and special allocations like those from the Inflation Reduction Act.

Impact and Outcomes

- Since inception, millions of acres have been protected under ACEP, preserving agricultural viability and enhancing wetland ecosystems. - Challenges include ensuring long-term compliance with easement terms and managing the complex logistics of land conservation. - Outcomes include improved soil health, water quality, wildlife habitats, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions from land use changes.

Sponsors

• Federal Agency: United States Department of Agriculture
• Sponsoring Office: Natural Resources Conservation Service

Background and History

ACEP was established through the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Farm Bill), consolidating three previous conservation easement programs into a single, more efficient program. It has evolved to address climate change, with additional funding from the Inflation Reduction Act to focus on projects that sequester carbon.

Funding

ACEP was allocated $1.4 billion over five years from the Inflation Reduction Act, in addition to its regular funding. Annual funding is determined by USDA budget allocations, with no specific end date, as it's an ongoing program.

Implementation

Implementation involves: - Agricultural Land Easements: NRCS provides matching funds to partners to purchase easements on working lands. - Wetland Reserve Easements: NRCS directly purchases easements or enters into agreements for wetland restoration. There is no defined end date, indicating ACEP's role as a long-term conservation strategy.

Leadership

The program is led by the NRCS Chief, with implementation overseen by state conservationists and local NRCS offices.

See Also

• Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership
• Regional Conservation Partnership Program
• Conservation Reserve Program

External Links

• https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/easements/acep/
• No additional official links found at this time.

What is the title of the Wikipedia article about it?

• No specific Wikipedia article exists for ACEP; it's likely covered under broader NRCS or conservation programs articles.

Social media

• No official social media accounts for ACEP found at this time.