Title
Resolution to Approve a Programmatic Partnership Agreement with USDA-NRCS for the Lake Erie Conservation Partnership: Food & Water for the Future of Southeast Michigan RCPP
Memorandum
This resolution approves an agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to accept up to $7,400,000.00 in grant funds over five years for the "Lake Erie Conservation Partnership: Food & Water for the Future of Southeast Michigan" RCPP (Regional Conservation Partnership Program). RCPPs are special federal grant programs that provide a guaranteed pool of grant funds for regional conservation activities, and typically involve several public and private partners. The City has previously successfully participated in two RCPPs. The City will use the grant funds to purchase conservation easements in the City's Greenbelt District and fund certain costs of administering the program.
On October 5, 2020, City Council approved the submission of a grant proposal to the USDA-NRCS Fiscal Year 2021 RCPP in partnership with Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission, Ann Arbor Township, Scio Township, Webster Township, and others, to secure funding for USDA-NRCS RCPP Easements and RCPP Land Management Contracts in the Huron River and River Raisin Watersheds
On April 22, 2021, the USDA-NRCS notified the City of Ann Arbor that the grant proposal was successful and awarded funds in the amount of $7,400,000.00 to the RCPP partners. The City is requesting up to $1,847,000.00 from NRCS toward the purchase of RCPP conservation easements. The City would contribute up to $1,847,000.00 of Open Space and Parkland Preservation millage funds over the five-year grant period to be matched 1:1 by NRCS RCPP Easement funds. The City of Ann Arbor would commit contributing funds in the amount of $75,000.00 for due diligence activities (appraisal, survey, title work, environmental assessments, closing costs, etc.) over the five-year gra...
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