The NRCS is vetting a proposed map for Feral Swine Control Pilot Projects. A large portion of the Alafia River basin is one proposed area. If there are other subbasins that you believe need to be added to that Pilot Project area, please respond ASAP so we can offer for consideration by their Deadline of January 4th.

 

That means ASAP at this end.

 

Hello All,

 

Please see attached map of NRCS-FL PROPOSED pilot project areas for the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program (FSCP).  The 2018 Farm Bill (Sec. 2408) authorized FSCP to establish a pilot program to respond to the threat feral swine pose to agriculture, native ecosystems, and human and animal health. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act reauthorized FSCP and provided funding through 2031.

 

Your input is requested on additional potential pilot project area(s) to be included in the upcoming Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Pilot areas may not be the entire state and should be targeted areas where a project is expected to have an impact and there is anticipated landowner participation. The national NOFO will be used to solicit partner proposals, and the scope will be limited to pilot project proposals identified by APHIS and NRCS state leadership. Pilot project proposals will be selected for funding through the competitive process described in the NOFO. There will not be extensions of previously selected FSCP pilot projects. Any new or continuing work that follows a previously funded project must be submitted as a new proposal. Pilot projects will be limited to states with high feral swine populations as determined by APHIS. The states eligible to submit a pilot project are Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.

 

Pilot projects will consist of an APHIS portion, partner portion, and potentially an NRCS portion. The APHIS portion will include trapping and control activities to be carried out by APHIS staff. The partner portion will cover the activities partners will carry out through grants with NRCS. These activities will include support for eradication and control activities carried out by producers.

 

Please have potential pilot project area maps submitted to Michael Ruiz,  michael.ruiz@usda.gov , by January 4th, 2026 for consideration.

 

Thank you,

 

Michael Ruiz
Acting ASTC-Partnerships & Initiatives

Florida State Office
Natural Resources Conservation Service
4500 NW 27th Ave., Building A, Gainesville, FL 32606
p: (352) 338-9566 c: (352) 477-0891