Title
Resolution to Approve a Grant Proposal to the USDA-NRCS FY 2020/2021 Regional Conservation Partnership Program (up to $3,145,000.00)
Memorandum
This resolution approves the submission of a proposal for grant funding to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) FY 2020/2021 Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), in partnership with Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission, Ann Arbor Township, Scio Township, Webster Township, and others for the purchase of conservation easements in the Huron River and River Raisin Watersheds. City funds would only be expended for purchases within the City's Greenbelt District.
This RCPP grant proposal provides an opportunity for the City of Ann Arbor to expand upon the success of two prior RCPPs in the Southeast Michigan region: the $1.8M "Huron River Initiative" RCPP (FY 2017, R-16-358, $1M City commitment) and the $1M "Ann Arbor Greenbelt: Saving Michigan Farms" RCPP (FY 2018, R-18-200, $326K City commitment). Combined with City, local partner and NRCS RCPP funds, those RCPPs represent over $5.6M deployed for conservation in under 5 years. With the success of those prior RCPPs positioned to surpass target deliverables and garner continued interest from landowners eager to participate, this proposal represents the combination and expansion of that critical work to (1) conserve natural lands and green infrastructure vital to the overall health of our waters, and (2) conserve and enhance productive soils vital to regional food system resiliency and security.
It is expected that the City and local partners together will commit over $11,500,000.00 in cash and in-kind matching fund over the five-year RCPP period - June 2021-June 2026. If successful, these local funds would be matched by $10,000,000.00 in RCPP funding. The City would contribute up to $3,145,000.00, including $3,000,000.00 toward the purchase price of conservation easements, $80,000.00 fo...
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