Questions and Answers_USDA-NRCS-AL-MULTI-19-GEN0010289.pdf

USDA-NRCS-AL-MULTI-GEN0010289

Enhanced or Accelerated implementation of the Key Conservation Objectives

Questions and Answers – As of 07/02/2019

Q. In the prescribed burning deliverable/conservation objective #6, what are the intended target group of landowners?

A. The intended group are for past participants that established longleaf or shortleaf and have a need for prescribed burning. NRCS will provide contact list to partner. Partner will make contact with participant to determine if they want assistance. If participant wants assistance, the partner will make a visit to the site to determine if it is in need of burning. If the site is in need of burning, the partner will be paid to install fire breaks by ft. and the actual burning per acre.

Q. How much $ will be set aside for this deliverable?

A. We have an overall amount in the solicitation of what we may or may not use. It will depend on the applications by partners and how the request ranks with others submitted. No specific amount, but enough to be effective.

Q. What will be target audience of landowners?

A. It will be past participants of our programs that established Longleaf or Shortleaf and the sites are in need of burning. It will not be the landowners that have already been approved through EQIP that plan to burn.

Q. What will be expected of the applying partner?

A. We expect partners to apply that are willing to engage the landowners and convince them of the benefits of burning for economic, wildlife, any other related benefits. They should have the capacity to engage the landowner, make the needs determination to burn, install the necessary safeguards, be certified burn managers, install firebreaks and carry out the burn according to all local and state guidelines.

Q. My research lab conducts water quality testing for generic E. coli in irrigation water in Alabama. Is microbiological testing an area that could be covered in this project?

A. Microbiological testing is not a high priority for this solicitation, but it is an area that may be of value for future NRCS watershed projects. Refer to the Statement of Work for the specific parameters needed for Fowl River and Weeks Bay watersheds.