The USDA-NRCS Georgia State Office is offering the Resource Conservation and Development Program Grant for Natural Resource Conservation and Community Improvement.

Resource Conservation and Development program, better known as RC&D, is a unique program that helps people initiate, sponsor, plan and implement projects that will make their communities better places in which to live. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers the program for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. NRCS provides a coordinator, and gives other support to each RC&D area. The local councils make each RC&D area unique by defining goals and objectives to meet local needs

The NRCS State Office in Georgia is accepting Applications for Federal Assistance to support and stimulate new and on-going conservation activities and wise development of natural resources in support of the Resource Conservation and Development program in Georgia.

The anticipated period of performance is October 1, 2009 to September 30, 2010. However applicants may apply for funding for Future Funding Period (years) by completing Section E of the SF 424A, “Budget Information – Non Construction Projects”, or the SF 424C, “Budget Information – Construction Projects”. Funding for these funding periods is contingent upon the availability of funds appropriated by Congress. Projects must contribute to Action Items in RC&D Council Annual Plans. It is the objective of NRCS to use funds in as large a geographic are as is possible in Georgia and to process at least one award for each RC&D Council in Georgia.

Basis for Selection

The NRCS will review the applications submitted by each applicant and determine which applications best meet the needs of the NRCS and are able to support the objectives of the RC&D program.

Applications will be evaluated on the basis of pre-selection and selection criteria. Pre-selection criteria require that proposed projects be contained in one of Georgia’s authorized RC&D Council areas, and be included in the Council’s Area Plan. Selection criteria gives credit to those projects that will be completed in a timely manner; addresses one of the NRCS Program Goals for RC&D [No. of Businesses Created/Retained, No. of Land and Water Benefited Acres, No. of Watershed or Areawide Plans Developed]; and addresses one, or more, of the Legislated Program Objectives [i.e. Land Management, Land Conservation, Water Management, or Community Development],

Following review of the applications, NRCS will determine the need for interviews. The NRCS reserves the right to select applications in accordance with the basis for selection above, and such additional information as the NRCS determines to be most appropriate, including informal discussions or a formal interview.

Application Procedures

Applications for projects should include the following:

1.Completed Standard Form (SF) 424, Application for Federal Assistance, (including SF 424A and SF 424,B).

2.Narrative description the proposed project that includes:

a.Project Title = Action Item[s] in Council’s Annual Plan.
b.Project Dates [should match Annual Plan].
c.Specific Reference of Project in Council’s Annual Plan of Work Plan [page number].
d.Specific Legislated Program Objective[s] being addressed.
e.Specific NRCS Program Goal[s] being addressed.
f.An Objective Statement associated with the Project.
g.Specific Deliverable[s] being generated from Project
h.Methodology for accomplishing Project Objective Statement.
i.Milestone Dates for Project Completion.
j.Project Budget
k.Percentage of Cost-Share from Non-NRCS Sources.
l.Plan for Documenting Expenditures

3. A copy of the RC&D Council’s Annual Plan of Work.

Completed proposals can be sent to:
Mike Szathmary
Contract Specialist
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
355 East Hancock Avenue
Mail Stop #202
Athens, Georgia 30601

The contact for NRCS is Mike Szathmary. Respondents are requested to limit their inquiries to the point of contact with NRCS.
Phone: (706) 546-2280
Fax: (706) 546-2157
Email: mike.szathmary@ga.usda.gov