Nebraska Community Foundation

THROUGH THIS AGREEMENT, THE NEBRASKA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION WILL PROVIDE FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT TO THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE OF THE PLATTE RIVER RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM (PROGRAM). THE PROGRAM PROVIDES ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT COMPLIANCE, WHICH IS CRUCIAL FOR THE CONTINUED OPERATION OF RECLAMATIONS PROJECTS ON THE NORTH PLATTE AND SOUTH PLATTE RIVERS. THE CONTINUED OPERATION OF THESE PROJECTS WILL ALLOW RECLAMATION TO DELIVER STORAGE WATER FOR IRRIGATION AND MUNICIPAL AND INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES, AND TO CONTINUE TO GENERATE HYDROPOWER, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC. THE OPERATION OF THESE PROJECTS PROVIDES FOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC, AND THE PUBLIC WILL ALSO BENEFIT FROM INCREASED ACCESS TO PROGRAM LANDS IN NEBRASKA FOR CERTAIN RECREATIONAL USES DURING CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR.SPECIFIC PROJECT ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:PROGRAM ADMINISTRATIONPROGRAM LAND PLAN IMPLEMENTATIONLAND ACQUISITIONPROGRAM WATER PLAN IMPLEMENTATION (NON-ACQUISITION)PROGRAM WATER PLAN IMPLEMENTATION (ACQUISITION)PROGRAM ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT PLAN IMPLEMENTATIONTHIS IS A MANDATORY AGREEMENT, AUTHORIZED IN PUBLIC LAW 110-229, THE PLATTE RIVER RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM EXTENSION ACT.

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT OF THE PLATTE RIVER RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM

COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT NO. R17AC00172

TECHNICAL & ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT FOR GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

PLATTE RIVER IMPLEMENTATION RECOVERY

THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGREEMENT IS TO CONTINUE A LONG STANDING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE RWBJV AND THE NEBRASKA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION (NCF). THIS COLLABORATION WILL UTILIZE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM USFWS MIGRATORY BIRDS AND OTHER USFWS DIVISIONS ALONG WITH NCF S FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SKILLS TO SUPPORT THE RWBJV PARTNERSHIP IN ACHIEVING THE BIRD HABITAT CONSERVATION OBJECTIVES OUTLINED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND ASSOCIATED ANNUAL OPERATION PLANS. THE ANNUAL OPERATION PLANS PROVIDE ANNUAL GOALS THAT IF INCREMENTALLY IMPLEMENTED WILL CONTRIBUTE ACHIEVING THE ULTIMATE GOALS OUTLINED IN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN. THIS AGREEMENT STRUCTURED AS AN INCREMENTAL AGREEMENT TO ALLOW ANNUAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO ACHIEVE THE ANNUAL GOALS. TO SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENT MIGRATORY BIRD HABITAT CONSERVATION THE RWBJV PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPED ITS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AROUND THE SHC FRAMEWORK AND JV MATRIX. THE RWBJV IMPLEMENTATION PLAN HAS FIVE INTERRELATED CRITICAL ELEMENTS JV ADMINISTRATION, BIOLOGICAL PLANNING, CONSERVATION DESIGN, RESEARCH MONITORING EVALUATION, AND IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT DELIVERY. THIS AGREEMENT WILL UTILIZE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LEGISLATION FUNDING FOR AGREEMENT ADMINISTRATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECTS TO ADDRESS WOODY ENCROACHMENT. TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE OPERATIONS (JV ADMINISTRATION), FUNDING WILL BE PROVIDED TO SUPPORT OFFICE MANAGEMENT, OVERHEAD, ADMINISTRATION AND CONTRACT DEVELOPMENT FOR REMOVAL OF WOODY ENCROACHMENT IN GRASSLANDS. THE FOCUS OF THIS WORK WILL BE TIED TO REMOVAL OF WOODY ENCROACHMENT FROM INTACT GRASSLANDS. RECENT REMOTE SENSING PROJECTS HAVE HIGHLIGHTED A SIGNIFICANT ENCROACHMENT OF WOODY SPECIES INTO GRASSLANDS. GRASSLAND BIRD POPULATION DECLINES HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANT AS RESULT OF THE WOODY ENCROACHMENT. THE APPROACH TO GRASSLAND CONSERVATION HAS SHIFTED BECAUSE OF THIS ENCROACHMENT. THE NEW FOCUS IS ON DEFENDING THE REMAINING CORE GRASSLANDS BY ADDRESS SEED SOURCES AND CONTROLLING WOODY SPECIES AT ULTRA LOW DENSITIES TO AVOID ENCROACHMENT. THE FUNDS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS AGREEMENT WILL ENSURE WE CAN MAINTAIN AND INCREASE THE GRASSLAND CORES THAT EXIST ON U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE REFUGE SERVICE LANDS. TO PROJECT DELIVERY WILL BE COMPLETED THROUGH CONTRACTS WITH LOCAL CONTRACTORS TO MECHANICALLY REMOVE WOODY SPECIES IN GRASSLANDS WITH A FOCUS ON EASTERN RED CEDAR. THE FOCUS OF THESE FUNDS WILL BE ON THE NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE REFUGE UNITS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SANDHILLS REFUGE COMPLEX AND WATERFOWL PRODUCTION AREAS WITHIN THE RAINWATER BASIN WETLAND MANAGEMENT DISTRICT. THE FUNDING PROVIDED BY THIS AGREEMENT SHOULD SUPPORT APPROXIMATELY 15,000 ACRES OF CLEARING ANNUALLY WITH A POTENTIAL OVERALL FOOTPRINT OF 125,000 ACRES OVER THE DURATION OF THIS AGREEMENT IF FUNDED AT THE AWARD CEILING.

CONSERVATION OF PRIORITY WETLAND AND UPLAND HABITAT IN THE RAINWATER BASIN JOINT VENTURE PHASE II

ACQUISITION AND MANAGEMENT OF GRASSLANDS AND WETLANDS EASEMENTS ENROLLEDIN NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE PROGRAMS IN NEBRASKA.

STRATEGIC HABITAT CONSERVATION OF WETLANDS AND GRASSLANDS IN THE RAINWATER BASIN JOINT VENTURE

ASSIST NRCS TO INFORM PRODUCERS ABOUT CONSERVATION PRACTICES THAT ADDRESS RESOURCE CONCERNS BY DEVELOPING COMMUNICATION MATERIALS, MEET WITH LANDOWNERS <(>&<)> AG INDUSTRIES, TO HIGHLIGHT CONSERVATION.

WETLANDS, WATERSHEDS AND WHOOPING CRANES: RWB COOPERATIVE RECOVERY INITIATIVE PROJECT

COMPLETE TASKS INCLUDING EASEMENT ACTIVITIES: CLOSINGS, MONIORING, AND PLANNING. AMENDMENT 0003 IS ADDING FUNDS AND ABUDGET REALIGNMENT..

CONSERVATION OF PRIORITY WELAND AND UPLAND HABITAT IN THE RWBJV ADMINISTRATIVE AREA

CONSERVATION OF PRIORITY WETLAND AND UPLAND HABITAT IN THE RWBJV

WETLAND HABITAT DEVELOPMENT

CONSERVATION OF WETLANDS AND GRASSLANDS IN THE RAINWATER BASIN JOINT VENTURE

RURAL NEBRASKA (NE) HELPS FEED THE COUNTRY AND WORLD, BUT MANY NE RESIDENTS ARE FOOD INSECURE. RURAL TOWNS FACE FOOD ACCESS CHALLENGES REGARDING PROXIMITY TO GROCERY STORES/STORE CLOSINGS AND CONVENIENCE STORES THAT DO NOT CONSISTENTLY STOCK HIGHLY PERISHABLE ITEMS SUCH AS FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. TO HELP ADDRESS THESE CHALLENGES, THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO REDUCE FINANCIAL BARRIERS AND IMPROVE THE DIET QUALITY AND HEALTH OF NE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) PARTICIPANTS BY EXPANDING A POINT-OF-PURCHASE FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES INCENTIVE PROGRAM (DOUBLE UP FOOD BUCKS [DUFB]) TO RURAL FOOD ACCESS POINTS. DUFB PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING FOR PARTICIPATING SNAP ACCEPTING RETAIL SITES AND SNAP RECIPIENTS: FORMAL SUPPORT TO SITES TO STOCK FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AND HELP RECIPIENTS FIND FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AND BUY LOCAL PRODUCE WHEN POSSIBLE; DOLLAR-FOR-DOLLAR MATCHES ON FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES TO HELP RECIPIENTS AFFORD FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES; SITE SUPPORT TO CREATE CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE ENVIRONMENTS HELPING RECIPIENTS CHOOSE FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES; AND TRAINING, TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR SITES TO OFFER IN-STORE NUTRITION EDUCATION, FOOD DEMONSTRATIONS, PROMOTION AND MARKETING, MEET REQUIRED REPORTING, AND ASSESSMENTS TO HELP RECIPIENTS USE FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. PROJECT ACTIVITIES WILL INCREASE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THROUGH A NETWORK OF ESTABLISHED PARTNERS, EXPAND NEW TECHNOLOGIES, AND EVALUATE THE PROGRAM AT THE CUSTOMER, RETAILER, AND FINANCIAL LEVEL. COMPARISONS BETWEEN CURRENT METRO AND EXPANDED RURAL SITES WILL OCCUR BY EXAMINING REDEMPTION RATES, PROGRAM FIDELITY, CUSTOMER, AND RETAILER SURVEY DATA. SNAP RECIPIENTS WILL BE ENGAGED THROUGH NEEDS ASSESSMENTS, COMMUNITY CONVENINGS, AND DISSEMINATION OF FINDINGS. BEST PRACTICES FOR INTEGRATING DUFB INTO A VARIETY OF SITES AND COMMUNITIES WILL BE PUBLISHED AND DISSEMINATED.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGREEMENT IS TO CONTINUE A LONG-STANDING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE RWBJV AND THE NEBRASKA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION (NCF). THIS COLLABORATION WILL UTILIZE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM USFWS MIGRATORY BIRDS AND OTHER USFWS DIVISIONS ALONG WITH NCFS FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SKILLS TO SUPPORT THE RWBJV PARTNERSHIP IN ACHIEVING THE BIRD HABITAT CONSERVATION OBJECTIVES OUTLINED IN THE RWBJV IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND ASSOCIATED ANNUAL OPERATION PLAN. TO SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENT MIGRATORY BIRD HABITAT CONSERVATION THE RWBJV PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPED ITS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AROUND THE STRATEGIC HABITAT CONSERVATION (SHC) FRAMEWORK AND JV MATRIX. THE RWBJV IMPLEMENTATION PLAN HAS FIVE INTERRELATED CRITICAL ELEMENTS: JV ADMINISTRATION, BIOLOGICAL PLANNING, CONSERVATION DESIGN, RESEARCH MONITORING EVALUATION, AND IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT DELIVERY. WHEN THE ELEMENTS OF THIS BUSINESS MODEL ARE IMPLEMENTED, THERE IS A FEEDBACK LOOP THAT REFINES CONSERVATION DELIVERY THROUGH TIME. THIS AGREEMENT WILL UTILIZE FUNDING TO SUPPORT THESE CRITICAL ELEMENTS. THIS PROJECT WILL BE INCREMENTAL TO ALLOW FLEXIBILITY AND ENSURE JOINT VENTURE MANAGEMENT BOARD PRIORITIES OUTLINED IN THE ANNUAL OPERATION PLANS CAN BE ACHIEVED THROUGH MULTI-YEAR PROJECTS AS DEFINED IN THE AGREEMENT. THIS AGREEMENT WILL PROVIDE THE MECHANISM TO LEVERAGE RESOURCES NECESSARY TO COMPLETE COMPLEX PROJECTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FIVE CORE ELEMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SHC MODEL. TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE OPERATIONS (JV ADMINISTRATION), FUNDING WILL BE PROVIDED TO SUPPORT OFFICE MANAGEMENT, OVERHEAD, AND GRANT DEVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATION. NCF STAFF WILL PROVIDE THE CAPACITY TO SUPPORT JV OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT.

RAINWATER BASIN WETLAND HABITAT RESTORATION PARTNERSHIP PROJECT

TO INCREASE SOIL HEALTH PRACTICES AND SUSTAINABLE, AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS IN NE, THROUGH A PILOT HUB (FIRST OF FIVE) AROUND THE HASTINGS-CENTRAL NE AREA (THREE NRDS).

CONGRESSIONAL EARMARK

THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGREEMENT IS TO CONTINUE A LONG-STANDING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE RAINWATER BASIN JOINT VENTURE AND THE NEBRASKA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION. THIS COLLABORATION WILL UTILIZE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE MIGRATORY BIRDS AND OTHER AGENCY DIVISIONS. THE FOUNDATIONS LOW NEGOTIATED INDIRECT COST RATE AGREEMENT (1.2%) MAXIMIZES THE AMOUNT OF U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE FUNDING THAT THE PARTNERSHIP CAN USE TO IMPROVE DELIVERY EFFICIENCY AND MAXIMIZE ON-THE-GROUND PROJECT DEVELOPMENT. THE FOUNDATIONS FINANCIAL SKILLS ENSURE THE PARTNERSHIP CAN ACHIEVE HABITAT OBJECTIVES OUTLINED IN THE RWBJV IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND ANNUAL PLAN OF OPERATIONS. THE PARTNERSHIPS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN HAS SIX ELEMENTS THAT INCLUDES: COORDINATION COMMUNICATION, JV ADMINISTRATION, BIOLOGICAL PLANNING, CONSERVATION DESIGN, IMPLEMENTATION, AND PROJECT EVALUATION. IMPLEMENTING THESE ELEMENTS ENSURES A FEEDBACK LOOP WHERE CONSERVATION DELIVERY CAN BE REFINED, AND THE BEST SCIENCE CAN BE USED TO GUIDE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL PARTNER INVESTMENTS TO MAXIMIZE OUTCOMES. THIS PROJECT WILL BE INCREMENTAL TO ALLOW FLEXIBILITY AND ENSURE JOINT VENTURE MANAGEMENT BOARD PRIORITIES OUTLINED IN THE ANNUAL PLAN OF OPERATIONS CAN BE ACHIEVED THROUGH MULTI-YEAR PROJECTS AS DEFINED IN THE AGREEMENT. THIS AGREEMENT WILL PROVIDE THE MECHANISM TO LEVERAGE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES FORM ACROSS DIFFERENT DIVISIONS TO IMPROVE HABITAT DELIVERY ON PRIVATE LANDS AND THE ASSOCIATED PUBLIC LANDS MANAGED BY THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE AS PART OF THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM. RESTORATION OF THOUSANDS OF ACRES OF PLAYA WETLANDS WILL MAXIMIZE HABITAT FOR WETLAND DEPENDENT MIGRATORY WATERFOWL WHILE ALSO RECHARGING MILLIONS OF GALLONS OF WATER TO THE UNDERLYING AQUIFER PROVIDING IN-STREAM FLOW BENEFITS FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES, DRINKING WATER FOR NEBRASKA RESIDENTS, AND SUSTAINABLE IRRIGATION TO SUPPORT NEBRASKAS IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE ECONOMY. IMPROVING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ACRES OF GRASSLAND HABITAT THROUGH MECHANICAL REMOVAL OF EASTERN RED CEDAR AND PROMOTION OF PRESCRIBED BURNING WILL IMPROVE FORAGE PRODUCTION, REDUCE FUEL LOADS, MINIMIZE THE CATASTROPHIC IMPACTS OF WILDFIRE, AND SUPPORT ECONOMICALLY VIABLE RANCHING OPERATIONS. TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE OPERATIONS (JV ADMINISTRATION),FUNDING WILL BE PROVIDED TO SUPPORT OFFICE MANAGEMENT, OVERHEAD, AND GRANT DEVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATION. NCF STAFF WILL PROVIDE THE CAPACITY TO SUPPORT JV OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT. GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM DATA ACQUISITION AND ANALYSIS WILL BE COMPLETED THROUGH FUNDING IN THIS AGREEMENT. THIS ALLOWS DECISION SUPPORT TOOLS TO BE DEVELOPED AS PART OF BIOLOGICAL PLANNING AND CONSERVATION DESIGN ELEMENTS. THESE TOOLS ARE USED BY THE PARTNERS TO DELIVER THOUSANDS OF ACRES OF HABITAT THROUGH FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL FUNDING SOURCES. COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION ELEMENT WILL SUPPORT OUTREACH TO LANDOWNERS AND OTHERS ABOUT THE PROGRAMMATIC OPPORTUNITIES AND THE BENEFITS OF CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES TO BOTH THE FARM AND RANCH OPERATION AND SPECIES THAT RELY ON THIS HABITAT. EVALUATION ELEMENTS WILL FOCUS ON MONITORING GROUNDWATER RECHARGE, IMPROVED WATER QUALITY, AS WELL AS CHANGES IN FORAGE PRODUCTION FROM AND GRASSLAND NESTING BIRD DENSITY. THIS INFORMATION WILL HELP INFORM THE MESSAGING IS PART OF THE COMMUNICATION ELEMENT.THIS PROJECT WILL NOT BE DUPLICATIVE AS IT IS TIED TO IMPLEMENTATION OF A RECENTLY AWARDED REGIONAL CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM TO SUPPORT GRASSLAND CONSERVATION. THE FUNDS IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE FOCUSED ON SUPPORTING STAFF IMPLEMENTING AND EVALUATING THE OUTCOMES OF THE REGIONAL CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM PROJECTS.

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVE PROGRAMS

RAINWATER BASIN HABITAT RESTORATION PARTNERSHIP⿝

RURAL COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE GRANTS

RBDG RURAL BUSINESS COOP RURAL ENTERPRISE GRANT

RAINWATER BASIN HABITAT PARTNERSHIP

CONSERVATION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN RAINWATER BASIN JOINT VENTURE AND THE NEBRASKA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

CONSERVATION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE - GE

CONSERVATION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

CONSTRUCTION OF J2 RESERVOIR - PLATTE RIVER RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM