Help for wetlands restoration

The Wetland Reserve Program (WRP), operated by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), provides assistance to restore wetland functions and values on non-federal lands. Private landowners and state, county, and local governments can get cost share funds to pay 75% of the restoration costs by simply agreeing to maintain the restoration for at least 10 years.

Any request for cost-share funds to restore substantial wetlands at a reasonable cost under a 10 year WRP agreement will be approved. As there are no long-term requirements to maintain the restoration, land rights payments are not available under this WRP option. WRP restorations can not be used to help meet any wetland mitigation requirements or for the development of mitigation banks.

To sign up or to get information, contact your local NRCS or Resource Conservation District (RCD) offices. The local office will also know of other local programs (e.g. Partners for Wildlife program, EPA, etc.) to help pay the remainder of landowner's costs.

• Top priority is given to purchasing 30 year easements where a state or private organization has made arrangements with the landowner to make the easement permanent or to acquire the land in fee title after the 30 year easement is recorded. A very high priority is also given to permanent easement offers involving partnerships with other agencies, organizations, or programs.
• The WRP Coordinator in NRCS state offices is available to answer specific questions. If you have difficulty contacting the right office or need further information, send an email message to <wrp@fb-net.org>
• Detailed WRP information "on-line" can be found at http://www.fb-net.org/wrp.htm.

For more information contact your local NRCS office or the Forest Stewardship Helpline at 1-800-738-TREE.