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The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) in Hawaii

Fiscal Year 2004 Program Highlights

Focus on Native, Threatened and Endangered Species Habitats

WHIP in Hawaii will concentrate on the following habitats:

  • Native forests/riparian areas adjacent or connected to a native forest reserve, wildlife refuge, or other preserved forest/riparian areas
  • Coastal habitats that support rare plants, seabirds, monk seals, or turtles
  • Streams with native organisms
  • Anchialine Pools
  • Endangered waterbird and migratory bird habitat
  • Threatened/Endangered Species Habitat (vertebrates, invertebrates, plants)
  • Wetlands (taro loi with endangered waterbird potential, Montane bogs, coastal wetlands)
  • Caves with Rare Species
WHIP will reimburse landowners/lessees up to 75% of the cost of the conservation practices planned. There are hold-down rates for practices. Typically, contracts are 5 to 10 years. At least one cost-share practice must be started the first year. There is no maximum funding cap.

Fiscal Year 2004 sign-up period
begins now and ends February 27, 2004.

Sign Up Process

NRCS is taking applications from now until February 27, 2004. The process involves some paperwork but is relatively easy:

  1. Sign up using the Application for Long-Term Contracted Assistance, form AD-1153, at any NRCS Field or State Office.
  2. Talk with NRCS Field or State Office staff to determine eligibility:
    • Will your proposed project benefit native wildlife?
    • Do you have title or a long term (minimum 5 year) lease? (You must submit proof.)
    • Are there structural practices (e.g. alien invasive species control, fencing, native tree planting, waterbird habitat restoration activities) planned?
    • Will you agree to continue wildlife management practices for the life of the contract?
  3. If all of the answers in 2 were "yes", work with NRCS staff to rank your project and develop a project bid.

Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program, (WHIP) Hawaii

Accepting Applications for Fiscal Year 04

Apply at these locations:

Hilo Service Center
Federal Building
154 Waianuenue Avenue, Room 322
Hilo, Hawaii 96720-2452
Phone: (808) 933-8381, ext 8367 Fax: (808) 933-6960 		Lihue Service Center
4334 Rice Street, Room 104
Lihue, Hawaii 96766-1801
Phone: (808) 245-6513 Fax: (808) 245-4639
 

NRCS Hoolehua Field Office
Maunaloa Highway (near Airport)
P.O. Box 396
Hoolehua, Hawaii 96729-0396
Phone: (808) 567-6868 then 2 Fax: (808) 567-9062
NRCS Wailuku Field Office
Millyard Plaza
210 Imi Kala Street, Suite 209
Wailuku, Hawaii 96793-2100
Phone: (808) 244-3729 Fax: (808) 242-7005

NRCS Waimea Field
Kamuela Business Center Building, 2nd Floor
Mamalahoa Highway
P.O. Box 1089
Kamuela, Hawaii 96743-1089
Phone: (808) 885-6602 Fax: (808) 885-4420
Aiea Service Center
Hawaii Agricultural Research Center
99-193 Aiea Heights Drive, Suite 207
Aiea, Hawaii 96701
Phone: (808) 483-8600 then 3 Fax: (808) 483-8615
 

Kealakekua Service Center
81-948 Waena Oihana Loop
Kealakekua, Hawaii 96750-0636
Phone: (808) 322-2484 Fax: (808) 322-3735

 
NRCS Hawaii State Office
Federal Building
300 Ala Moana Blvd
P.O. Box 50004
Honolulu, HI 96850
(808) 541-2600, ext. 109 Fax: (808) 541-1335

(01/09/04)