NRCS Offers Grant for Iowa Floodplain Easement Restoration Activities

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary

The Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program – Floodplain Easement (EWPP-FPE) is a voluntary program providing NRCS the opportunity to purchase floodplain easements as an alternative measure to traditional EWP recovery where it is determined that acquiring an easement in lieu of recovery is the more economical and prudent approach to reducing a threat to life or property or as specifically authorized through individual appropriations. NRCS may request the services of, and enter into cooperative agreements with, non-Federal entities to assist in providing specialized assistance necessary to implement conservation plans under this program. To that end, NRCS is directing resources toward the restoration of floodplains across the state of Iowa.

The NRCS is requesting proposals from qualified individuals and organizations that share a common interest in the conservation and restoration of floodplain resources throughout Iowa under the framework of a five-year agreement with approximately $5 million in funding, if available.

For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov.

Key Dates

Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on July 10, 2023. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts. For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed.

The agency anticipates making selections by July 31, 2023, and expects to execute awards by September 16, 2023. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.