Eligible WHIP Practices - 2012

Conservation Cover (327)
Establishment of native or introduced grasses, forbs or legumes; species and seeding rates shall provide desirable wildlife food and cover

Critical Area Planting (342)
Only for use when establishing appropriate cover on dikes or similar structures built for the purpose of improving wildlife habitat.

Dike (356)
Construction of an earthen dike as part of a wetland creation, enhancement or restoration

Early Successional Habitat Development/Management (647)
Use of mowing, disking, spraying or burning to maintain early successional habitat; may be used during life of stands established as part of contract or on existing habitat to create early successional habitat; also establishment of forest openings or edge feathering in existing woodlands and along field borders

Fence (382)
Construction of fence to exclude livestock from habitat areas; to be used where livestock currently exist on or adjacent to habitat area and livestock will be maintained during the WHIP contract life

Field Border (386) 
Establishment of permanent herbaceous vegetation at the edge of a field; plant species, seeding rates, location and management shall provide desirable wildlife food and cover

Firebreak (394)
Establishment of a firebreak in conjunction with warm-season grasses or other areas that will be managed with prescribed burning

Fish Passage (396)
Removal of dams or other structures that impede movement of fish and other aquatic organisms; limited to demolition and removal of demolition debris/fill; shall be used only on sites where needed planning, design permitting, etc. has been completed so that project can begin within one year

Forest Stand Improvement (666)
Removing or killing selected vegetation within a forest stand to improve the habitat value for targeted species; includes control of invasive plants which diminish habitat value; primary purpose is to be habitat improvement, not forest products (although this may occur as well)

Hedgerow Planting (422)
Establishment of linear arrangements of trees or shrubs to provide food or cover for wildlife; species used and planting rates shall provide desirable wildlife food and cover

Prescribed Burning (338)
Use of fire to control unwanted vegetation or to improve habitat for targeted species

Pumping Plant (533)
Installation of a pump for a wetland restoration or management project; to be used where other water sources are not sufficient for wetland management purposes; only for permanently installed pumps

Restoration and Management of Declining Habitats (643)
Restoration of native plant communities through control of unwanted species, planting of desired species or management to encourage diverse, native plant communities; may include removal of invasive plant species and planting of selected species missing from native plant community; control of invasive plants is allowed only when the invasive plants are affecting the habitat of a prioritized species; use of this practice requires review and approval by NRCS state biologist

Riparian Forest Buffer (391)
Establishment of trees and shrubs in riparian areas; species used and planting rates shall provide desirable wildlife food and cover

Shallow Water Development and Management (646)
Management of inundated and moist-soil areas; not cost-shared but to be included in all conservation plans where shallow water management is being implemented

Streambank and Shoreline Protection (580)
Protection of the streambank as part of a riparian corridor establishment; methods used must directly benefit aquatic threatened or endangered species and must not degrade in-stream habitat; also may be used in conjunction with fish passage actions; restricted to methods which do not promote the “hardening” of streambanks such as primarily relying on rip-rap

Structure for Water Control (587)
Installation of a structure that allows for water level management as part of a wetland project; structures installed will be consistent with site conditions and landowner management expectations 

Subsurface Drain (606)
Installation of subsurface drains where needed as part of a wetland creation/enhancement/ restoration project; use is limited to sites where the tile lines must be replaced or re-routed to make the wetland project possible and it is economically justified due to high quality of wetland

Tree/Shrub Establishment (612)
Establishment of trees and/or shrubs through planting or natural regeneration; species used and planting rates shall provide desirable wildlife food and cover; cost-share is applicable only for establishment through planting (seedlings or direct seeding) 

Tree/Shrub Site Preparation (490)
Mechanical or other site preparation for the establishment of trees or shrubs by planting or natural regeneration

Upland Wildlife Habitat Management (645)
Management of habitat for targeted species; not cost-shared, but to be included in all conservation plans for upland habitat

Watering Facility (614)
Construction of a water supply for wildlife; to be used where adequate water supply is not present within a half-mile

Wetland Creation (658)
Installation of components which will create wetland conditions on an area where wetlands did not previously exist; includes creation of wetland hydrology and establishment of a wetland plant community; may include other listed practices needed to create wetland conditions. This also includes vernal pool restoration under the special component for cost-share described in the WHIP guidance document.

Wetland Enhancement (659)
Installation of components which will enhance a particular function on an area where wetlands occur or formerly occurred; may include other listed practices needed to enhance a particular function. This also includes vernal pool restoration under the special component for cost-share described in the WHIP guidance document.

Wetland Restoration (657)
Installation of components to restore a wetland to a condition similar to what existed before the wetland was altered, including restoration of wetland hydrology and establishment of a wetland plant community; may include other listed practices needed to restore wetland conditions. This also includes vernal pool restoration under the special component for cost-share described in the WHIP guidance document.

Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management (644)
Management of habitat for targeted wetland species; not cost-shared but to be included in all conservation plans for wetland habitat

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