Number: R40051
Title: Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program: Status and Current Issues
Authors: Megan Stubbs, Analyst in Agricultural Conservation and National Resources Policy 
Abstract: The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) is a voluntary program that provides technical and financial assistance to eligible lands to improve and develop wildlife habitat and enhance wildlife populations. Participants enter into contracts, usually 5 to 10 years in duration, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), which pays up to 75% of the contract implementation cost. Since its initial authorization in the 1996 farm bill, WHIP has enrolled more than 4 million acres through 25,600 contracts. Eligible acreage includes privately owned agricultural land, tribal land, and nonindustrial private forest land. Some selected issues for the 111th Congress include mandatory funding levels, a change in program eligibility requirements, a continuing backlog of unfunded applications, and speciesspecific funding.
Pages: 7
Date: December 11, 2008