Easement Restoration and Stewardship

This USDA‑NRCS competitive cooperative‑agreement funds the restoration, stewardship, and condition assessment of Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) and Floodplain Easements (FPE) across the United States and territories. Awardees will work directly with NRCS staff, landowners, and partners to develop and implement restoration designs, perform structural or vegetative repairs, create maintenance and enhancement plans, and conduct on‑site/off‑site monitoring to ensure compliance with deed terms. The work may include topographic and hydrologic surveys, engineering design of levees, dikes, water‑control structures, vegetation planting, and ongoing habitat management. Projects are expected to span 4‑5 years with total federal funding up to $5 million per award (minimum $250 k). • Eligible entities: state, local, tribal governments, public colleges, for‑profit and nonprofit organizations (excluding individuals). • Funding mechanism: Cooperative Agreement (CA) under ACEP, EWPP‑FPE, and WRP programs. • Scope of work: (1) Planning & design of structural/vegetative restoration, (2) Development of repair, enhancement, and maintenance plans, (3) On‑site/off‑site ecological assessments and monitoring. • Geographic reach: All 50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands. • Deliverables: Technical reports, design drawings, monitoring data, compliance documentation, and coordination with NRCS field staff. • Timeline: Applications due 11 pm ET 19 Nov 2026; award selections Jan 2027; performance start approx. 1 Mar 2027 for a 4‑5‑year period.