Wetlands Out the Window

By Emery F. Wiens, Civil Engineer
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Topeka, Kansas

In the past you may have heard about wetlands, but have let it go in one ear and out the window. But now that wetlands are more common in the area, you may be more willing to consider them. Perhaps your neighbor, school, or brother has already installed one.

Why have wetlands? Some people like them to attract wildlife. They enjoy watching geese, turtles, and snowy plover. Wetlands serve as cleansing tanks that clean up the water. Wetlands often help reduce flooding effects. They are wonderful for lots of hunters. Wetlands can recharge underground reservoirs. They create biological diversity in a region dominated by cropping. Some of us just like water, including wetlands.

If you wanted a wetland, what if you could get free technical assistance, including surveying, designing, inspection, and advice on maintenance? And what if you could get cost-share assistance for the construction of a wetland? Sound too good to be true? Well, believe it. It’s happening all around our area.

In order to carry out the Presidential mandate to increase the number of acres of wetlands, the U. S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering various federal wetland programs to landowners. The three most common are the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), and the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP). Each offers free technical assistance and financial assistance for constructing wetlands. Wetlands can be created, restored, or enhanced. The biggest emphasis is with restoring a degraded historical wetland through WRP, CRP, and other programs. But new ones can also be created through WHIP.

What land is suitable for wetlands? For a wetland to work, three things are needed: soil, water, and plants. Generally, a soil with a good amount of clay is required to hold the water that falls or runs to it. If the soil is tight enough and the water is plentiful enough, the wetland plants will come. Water-loving plant seed will be carried by the wind or birds, or may already be in the soil just waiting for the long duration of wetness that a wetland provides. You can even plant your own favorite hydrophytic plants!

Will mosquitoes from the wetland overwhelm the neighbors? Generally not, because an established wetland also serves as home base for their predators, like ducks, frogs, and dragonflies. The West Nile virus is carried by a mosquito that must have perfectly still conditions to mature, and NRCS wetlands will be large enough that wave action will prevent this condition.

Will my wetland be there forever? Depending on the federal program, the wetland must remain for as few as 10 years and for as long as perpetuity. Generally, the longer life will also bring more financial assistance for construction and for maintenance, plus incentives.

So, instead of just wishing, and instead of getting your tractor stuck in a boggy area year after year, go to your local U. S. Department of Agriculture’s Service Center and talk to the NRCS staff about enrolling your land in a wetland program today. Then you can have a wetland out your window.

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

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Last Modified: 08/22/2008