Wetlands Reserve Program Signup Continuous

by Joel A. Willhoft, Resource Conservationist
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Hays, Kansas

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has a continuous signup for applications in the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). Applications received before November 4, 2005, were evaluated and ranked for Fiscal Year 2006 funding. After November 4, 2005, applications received for WRP will be evaluated, ranked, and approved for funding based on availability of additional funds in 2006.

WRP provides opportunity for landowners to receive financial assistance incentives to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands in exchange for retiring the wetlands from agricultural production. Applicants have three enrollment options including permanent easement, 30-year easement, and restoration cost-share agreement.

With the permanent easement option, applicants agree to provide NRCS a perpetual conservation easement on the wetland area. NRCS easement payments for this option equal the lowest of three amounts: the agricultural value of the land, an established cap, or an amount offered by the landowner. In addition to paying for the easement, NRCS pays 100 percent of the costs of restoring the wetland.

Under the 30-year easement option, applicants agree to provide NRCS a 30-year conservation easement on the wetland. NRCS easement payments are 75 percent of what would be paid for a permanent easement. NRCS also pays 75 percent of restoration costs.

For both permanent and 30-year easements, NRCS pays all costs associated with recording the easement in the local land records office, including recording fees, charges for abstracts, survey and appraisal fees, and title insurance.

Restoration cost-share agreements re-establish degraded or lost wetland habitat. NRCS pays up to 75 percent of the cost of restoration activity. This enrollment does not place an easement on the property.

Applications may be obtained and filed at anytime in local U. S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Service Centers at the NRCS or conservation district office. Applications may also be obtained through USDA’s e-gov Internet site at: www.sc.egov.usda.gov. Enter “Natural Resources Conservation Service” in the agency field, “Wetlands Reserve Program” in the Program Name field, and “AD-1153” in the Form Number field.

For more information about NRCS programs, visit the Kansas NRCS Web site at www.ks.nrcs.usda.gov.

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Wetlands Reserve Program Signup Continuous (DOC; 38 KB)

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Last Modified: 08/22/2008