Funding: Stewardship Agreements will be funded by using the funding authorities of the conservation programs and contracts that are implemented in whole or in part through the use of Stewardship Agreements. 

Payments. Payments to owners and operators shall be made as provided in the programs that are combined as part of a Stewardship Agreement. At the election of the owner or operator, payments may be collected and combined together by a designated state agency and issued to the owner or operator in equal annual payments over the term of the agreement. Payments for other services rendered by the owner or operator shall be made as follows–

Programs that contain term or permanent easements may be combined into a Stewardship Agreement. Except for portions of a property affected by easements, Stewardship Agreements shall provide no interest in property and shall be solely contracts for specific services. The fees paid shall be based on the services provided. Compensation shall include–

ANNUAL BASE PAYMENT. All owners or operators enrolled in a Stewardship Agreement shall receive an annual base payment, at a rate to be determined by the Secretary. The annual base payment shall be considered by the Secretary to be satisfied if the owner or operator receives annual payments from another conservation program that has been incorporated into the Stewardship Agreement.

In addition, owners and operators shall receive–

DIRECT FEES FOR SERVICES. These fees shall be based on the cost of providing each service. These fees may be set by adopting private sector market prices for the performance of similar services or by competitive bidding. Or, alternatively–

ANNUAL PER-ACRE STEWARDSHIP FEES. These fees shall be based on the services provided, or the quantity of benefits provided, with higher fees for greater benefits that can be quantified. Such values shall be determined and set by the Secretary. Or, alternatively–

OTHER INCENTIVES. Other forms of compensation acceptable to an owner or operator also may be considered. These other forms of compensation may include federal, state or local tax waivers, credits, reductions or exclusions; priority processing of permits from state and local agencies; consolidation of permits from state and local agencies into a single operating plan; extended-duration permits from state and local agencies; enhanced eligibility and priority listing for participation in cost-share programs, loan programs, conservation programs and permanent conservation easement or public purchase programs; and priority access to technical assistance services provided by federal and, where possible, local, regional and state agencies.