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WHIP Aquatic Ranking Tool

Ranking Tool Summary for Aquatic (Released 04/16/2009)

Description:

1. This ranking tool applies to FY2009 WHIP applications in the category for WHIP State Priority one (1): Restoration and/ or enhancement of stream habitat, waterbodies, and riparian ecology for anadromous and endemic non-anadromous fish IN PRIVATELY HELD OWNERSHIP TITLED WATERS (surface land rights).
2. Each ranked application must include a detailed written description of the project proposed (WPO), provided to the NRCS State Biologist before final ranking.
3. At risk species are defined as native specie (s) whose population (s) or habitat is in danger of loss reflected by their listing as State or Federal Threatened or Endangered, Candidate, or State Species of Concern, or as focus species in Alaska's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (CWCS).
4. A completed Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Guide (WHEG) is required in support of each application, for which a WHEG exists.
5. Land Uses are further defined as aquatic habitat, lake fringe and riparian zones as well as other lands directly affecting water quality and habitat conditions for private lake and stream, fish habitat.
6. For the purposes of WHIP, Noxious and Invasive weeds are those species identified in the FOTG Section IV D. Conservation practices "Pest Management and Invasive Weeds Fact Sheet and List". Invasive animal species are those listed by ADF&G in "A Comprehensive List and Select Species Reports". http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/special/invasive/documents/invasivespp.report.pdf. 
7. Applications must score a minimum value of 65 points in the State Issues section of the Aquatic Ranking Criteria to be eligible for funding consideration.

Description:

Land Uses:

Crop, Forest, Grazed Forest, Grazed Range, Hay, Native/Naturalized Pasture, Natural Area, Pasture, Recreation, Water, Watershed Protection, Wildlife

Efficiency Score:

  Scoring Multiplier: 1.00
  Scoring Ranges and Results Text:
High: 570 - 370

Medium: 355 - 195

Low: 180 - 65

Represents projects which meet intent of program, and are high priority for funding.

 Represents projects which meet intent of program, and are medium priority for funding.

Represents projects which meet intent of program, but are low priority for funding.

National Priorities:

  Scoring Multiplier: 1.00
  Scoring Ranges and Results Text:

High: 125 - 65

Medium: 60 - 20

Low: 15 - 0

Represents projects which meet intent of program, and are high priority for funding.

 Represents projects which meet intent of program, and are medium priority for funding.

Represents projects which meet intent of program, but are low priority for funding.

Questions:

Question Number Question Points
1 Will the treatment intended to implement using WHIP result in the restoration of declining or important native fish and wildlife habitats? 15
2 Are the planned restoration of declining or important native fish and wildlife habitat conservation practices of a self-sustaining nature such as a native perennial plant? 10
3 Will the treatment intended to implement using WHIP result in the protection, restoration, development or enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat to benefit at-risk species? 25
4 Will the treatment intended to implement using WHIP result in the protection, restoration, development or enhancement of wildlife habitat for Federally listed threatened and endangered wildlife species? 35
5 Will the treatment intended to implement using WHIP result in the reduction of invasive species on fish and wildlife habitats? 25
6 Will the treatment intended to implement using WHIP result in the protection, restoration, development or enhancement of declining or important aquatic wildlife species' habitats? 15
 

Total Points

 125

State Issues:

  Scoring Multiplier: 1.00
  Scoring Ranges and Results Text:

High: 230 - 235

Medium: 230 - 145

Low: 140 - 65

Represents projects which meet intent of program, and are high priority for funding.

 Represents projects which meet intent of program, and are medium priority for funding.

Represents projects which meet intent of program, but are low priority for funding.

Questions:

Question Number Question Points
1 This project contains a primary treatment to address areas of significantly established noxious or invasive species threatening on site, at risk native habitat, or wildlife species, (only answer ONE from 1, 2 OR 3). 40
2 This project contains a primary treatment to address areas with minor presence of noxious or invasive species threatening on site, at risk native habitat, or wildlife species, (only answer ONE from 1, 2 OR 3). 20
3 This project contains a primary treatment to address areas with minor presence of noxious or invasive species threatening on site, native habitat, or wildlife species. (only answer ONE from 1, 2 OR 3). 10
4 This project contains practices which will actively address two or more priorities of the State WHIP Plan. (Plan will identify priorities addressed, as well as the species, and rationale for extended benefits). 25
5 This project provides for the emergency address or rehabilitation of critical wildlife habitat which has been impacted by man made, or natural disasters (flooding, dewatering, blockage, volcano, earthquake, etc.). ("disaster" designation must be concurred by NRCS) 25
6 This conservation project applies practices which provide significant benefits to a listed state or federal sensitive, candidate, threatened or endangered species. 40
7 This project removes or modifies an existing instream or waterbody structure (s) which block fish passage or degrades fish habitat (consider all life stages). OR, (only answer ONE from 7,8) 30
8 This project addresses instream or waterbody restoration/ enhancement of habitat components (any/all life stages) in areas where fish passage is not a problem; OR (only answer ONE from 7, 8) 20
9 This project will identify and address specific missing or impaired habitat elements instream, bankside and in the riparian corridor primarily using biotech materials (extends laterally > 30' toward uplands beyond bankside treatment zone). Or, (only answer ONE from 9 OR 10). 30
10 This project focuses on prevention of habitat degradation of currently undamaged shoreline, streambanks or instream conditions. (only answer ONE from 9 OR 10). 15
11 This project site is identified to be important for fish spawning, rearing or overwintering. Must be confirmed by a professional biologist. 35
12 Stream or river course is identified as an impaired or degraded body for fish by the state, federal or tribal government. (ex. AWCA list, tribal critical river area, etc.) 15
13 Any planting plan or expected regeneration is/ has been developed utilizing/ or encourages only ecologically appropriate native species. (Only answer ONE from 13 OR 14. If no planting or reveg effort required, select 13). 30
14 This project will use less than 100% native plant species in the planting plan, or non-native plant species may encroach the site due to absence of control efforts. (only answer ONE from 13 OR 14). 5
15 Besides the landowner, this project will be cost shared by a State or Federal agency or other partner which will reduce NRCS cost share by a minimum of $10,000 or 15%, whichever is less. 25
16 This project will be closed out with all contract items completed and paid in three years or less. 35
 

Maximum Points:  330     Total Points

 400

Local Issues:

Scoring Multiplier: 1.00
Scoring Ranges and Results Text:

High: 115 - 70

Medium: 65 - 30

Low: 25 - 0

Represents projects which meet intent of program, and are high priority for funding.

 Represents projects which meet intent of program, and are medium priority for funding.

Represents projects which meet intent of program, but are low priority for funding.

Questions:

Question Number Question Points
1 This project has a benefit to the highest priority locally identified wildlife species. 25
2 This project has a benefit to a secondary priority locally identified wildlife species. 10
3 This project addresses one or more locally identified priority subsistence species. 20
4 This project has a benefit to a plant species identified as a local priority. 15
5 This project addresses locally identified noxious or invasive species of concern 20
6 This project occurs in, or within three miles of, a locally identified special ecological management area. 25
 

Maximum Points:  115      Total Points

 115

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