Look at the Wetlands Reserve Program Again - A Change May Benefit Landowners
Fiscal Year Funding Cutoff Date December 15, 2008

Salina, KS, November 6, 2008--A change in the way easement compensation is determined for acres enrolled in the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) should make a good thing even better," says Eric B. Banks, state conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Salina.

Because of 2008 Farm Bill changes to the WRP easement compensation process, Banks said he encourages landowners to reconsider WRP and submit applications before the December 15, 2008, cutoff deadline in order to be included in the next round of funding consideration.

WRP acres recently reached two million acres nationwide. However, even more WRP acres might have been added if not for an appraisal process in use the past two years that some landowners deemed to be too restrictive.

Appraisal Process Replaced

"The 'yellow book' appraisal process used in 2006-07 is being replaced," said Banks. "It essentially paid a landowner the difference between an appraisal of the site’s value before placement of an easement and an appraisal of the land’s value after the land is placed in an easement. Future WRP offers will be based on the highest and best use of the land and established geographical area rate caps."

"This is good news for private landowners who were interested in WRP during the time the 'yellow book' appraisal method was in force but did not participate because they thought the government’s offer to purchase an easement was too low," Banks says. "We think this new easement compensation process will result in landowners being more fairly compensated and hopefully more acres enrolled in WRP."

More Changes to WRP

Other changes to WRP would require landowners to own the land for seven years before it is eligible for the program, eliminate a lump-sum payment for easements over $500,000, limit annual cost-share payments for restoration costs to $50,000, and make the program only available to private landowners.

Easement Types

Enrollment options include permanent easements, 30-year easements, cost share for restoration of wetlands, and 30-year contracts on land owned by Indian tribes.

Importance of Wetlands

Wetlands support diverse populations of wildlife and plants. They supply life-sustaining habitat for hundreds of species, including many of the nation’s endangered and threatened species. They provide a protective flood buffer, and they help protect water quality by filtering out pollutants. They also improve aesthetics and offer recreational opportunities.

According to Banks, fields that frequently flood and fields where it is difficult to produce crops are good candidates for WRP. He encourages private landowners in Kansas with land that might qualify to consider the program, including landowners who showed an earlier interest in the program but were not happy with the compensation they were offered.

Assistance Available

WRP provides technical and financial assistance to landowners to restore wetlands; improve wildlife habitat; and address soil, water, and natural resource concerns on private lands. The voluntary program strives to restore wetland functions and values and to optimize wildlife habitat benefits on every acre enrolled.

How to Apply

To sign up or re-apply for WRP, or to get more information about the program, contact the NRCS office serving your county. Look in the phone book under "U.S. Government, Department of Agriculture" or access this Web site: http://offices.usda.gov. More information is available on the Kansas Web site at www.ks.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/wrp. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Last Modified: 11/06/2008