Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)

General Program Description

The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) is a voluntary program for people who want to develop and improve wildlife habitat primarily on private lands.  It provides both technical assistance and cost-share payments to help establish and improve critical wildlife habitat.

WHIP was reauthorized and expanded in the 2002 Farm Bill.  NRCS administers the program with funds coming from the Commodity Credit Corporation.  Applications can be made at any USDA Service Center in North Dakota.  A new feature is that some WHIP plans may qualify for a 15-year agreement period.

WHIP Objectives

This program will focus on the objectives of:

· Entering into agreements to provide financial assistance in the form of cost-share payments to enhance habitat on eligible land for:1.    Upland Wildlife2.    Wetland Wildlife3.    Threatened and Endangered Species4.    Fisheries5.    Other Types of Wildlife

· Provide program participants with technical assistance and educational materials regarding wildlife habitat needs.

· Foster a positive public attitude toward wildlife, wildlife habitat, and land stewardship.

How WHIP Works

WHIP eligible applicants will compete statewide for contract funding.  Funding selection will be based on the wildlife habitat benefits the application will provide according to the WHIP ranking tool.  The ranking tool will evaluate how closely the requested practices in the applicant’s conservation plan match the priorities established by the State Conservationist.  Funding will be provided to those scoring the highest number of environmental points. 

WHIP cost-share agreements are generally developed for a period of not less than 5 years or more than 10 years (with special provision for 15-year agreements).  At least one essential practice must be commenced within the first 12 months of the agreement approval and implemented at least 2 years before the agreement expires.  Direct Federal sources shall not exceed 75 percent of the cost of essential practices.

Land Eligibility

Lands that are eligible for WHIP are:

· Privately owned lands, including lands owned by non-governmental organizations.

· Indian tribal lands.

· State, county or local government owned lands, if such land and the habitat improvement accomplishments are of sufficiently high priority to merit use of WHIP resources.

Federal lands in those limited circumstances where the benefit is primarily on private lands.

Participant Eligibility

Participants must:

· Provide acceptable evidence of control or ownership of the land

· Meet the annual adjusted gross income filter

· Be eligible for USDA program benefits under the HELC and WC provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985