Title
Resolution to Approve Pre-Proposal Application to the USDA FY 2018 Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), in Partnership with Washtenaw County, Legacy Land Conservancy, and Others, to Secure Funding to Complete USDA Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) Purchases of Development Rights (PDR) Conservation Easements (up to $1,000,000.00)
Memorandum
The Attached Resolution authorizes the City of Ann Arbor to approve the submission of a Pre-Proposal to the USDA FY 2018 Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), in partnership with Washtenaw County, Legacy Land Conservancy, and others, to secure funding for the purchase of USDA Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) conservation easements in Washtenaw County.
This pre-proposal would not obligate the City of Ann Arbor to expend any funds or enter into any agreements. If the City is invited by the NRCS RCPP to submit a full proposal, an additional City Council resolution will be sought to submit a full proposal that would obligate the City of Ann Arbor to participate in the RCPP.
If the final Proposal is funded, the grant would provide the Greenbelt Program with funds to support the purchase of conservation easements. Individual projects will still seek City Council approval on a project by project basis.
If the City's proposal is successful, the City would contribute up to $1,000,000.00 of bonding funds over the five-year program period to be matched at 50% by NRCS, leveraging up to $1,000,000.00 towards the acquisition of conservation easements. The City of Ann Arbor would commit contributing funds in the amount of $40,000.00 for staff time, and $30,000.00 for due diligence activities (appraisal, survey, title work, environmental assessments, closing costs, etc.) over the five-year program period.
The purpose of the acquisition of the development rights utilizing this funding is for Open Space Preservation and Agricultural ...
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