Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program
Department Of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
The primary objective of VPA-HIP is to encourage owners and operators of privately-held farm, ranch, and forest land to voluntarily make that land available for access by the public for wildlife-dependent recreation, including hunting or fishing, under programs implemented by state or tribal governments.
Jargon-free version
Helps state and tribal governments encourage landowners to allow public access for hunting and fishing. Provides funding for habitat improvements on these lands.
Quick Facts
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What Is This Program?
What Benefits Are Offered?
Provides competitive grant funding to State and tribal governments to help encourage landowners to allow public access to their land for hunting, fishing, and other wildlife-dependent recreation. Up to 25 percent of the funding may also be used for incentives to improve wildlife habitat on enrolled public access program lands.
Who Is Eligible?
Industries: conservation, recreation, wildlife management, public land access
Region: United States
Other Criteria: State governments, Tribal governments
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📋What Are the Application Steps & Timeline?
- 📝Steps to Apply
- Visit your local NRCS field office to discuss your vision for your land.
- Fill out an AD 1026 form to ensure a conservation plan is in place.
- Complete the application form (CPA 1200).
- Check your eligibility by providing necessary documents.
- Rank your application based on local resource concerns.
- 🌐Application Portal
- https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/getting-assistance/how-to-apply
- 📤Submission Method
- online
- 📅Key Dates
- State-specific ranking datesApplication submission deadline for ranking period
- 🔄Intake Type
- periodic
📄What Documents Are Required?
- ✅Required Documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- SF-424A (Budget Information - Non-Construction)
- SF-424B (Assurances)
- Project Narrative
- Budget Narrative
- indirect cost rate agreement
- 📐Format Requirements
- PDF only, max 10MB
- 📥Templates Available
- Agricultural Land Easement (ALE) Agreement
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💰What Expenses Are Eligible?
- 🧾Eligible Expenses
- Costs associated with conservation practices
- Technical assistance for implementing conservation practices
- 🚫Ineligible Expenses
- Costs incurred before contract execution
- Costs for practices started prior to NRCS approval
- 📏Expense Caps
- Administrative costs capped at 15%
- 💳Payment Model
- reimbursement
- ⏪Retroactive Expenses Eligible
- No
🤝Is Matching Funding Required?
- 🔀Matching Required
- Yes
- 📊Matching Ratio
- null
- 🏦Eligible Matching Sources
- cash
- in-kind
- 📚Stacking Rules
- null
- 🛡️Proof of Matching Required
- null
📊What Are the Reporting Requirements?
- 🗓️Reporting Frequency
- annual
- 📑Reporting Requirements
- annual performance report
- 🔍Audit Requirements
- OMB Uniform Guidance Single Audit if the recipient expends $750,000 or more in federal awards.
- 📢Branding Requirements
- Acknowledgment of federal funding is required.
- 🗄️Record Retention Period
- 3 years post-final-report
How Do I Apply?
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FAQFrequently Asked Questions
Visit the program page for detailed eligibility requirements.
This program offers funding up to $9,557,000 (minimum $9,557,000).
This program accepts applications on a rolling basis.
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