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Wetlands Reserve Program in Kansas
In recent years, people have taken an interest in restoring, enhancing, and
protecting wetlands. More and more people are recognizing the benefits and are
working to make the most of their wetlands. One program receiving attention by a
growing number of people is the USDA’s Wetlands Reserve Program, established in
the mid-1990’s and administered by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation
Service. Today, WRP, as it is known, has become one of a number of successful
options for landowners interested in working with wetlands. In Kansas, WRP is
gaining popularity as people learn about how the program works.
Producer Quotes
 Ben
Duell - It was an idea I had long before the program came
along. I was wondering what could I do to make the water stand longer in the
playa – it’s so shallow – how could I concentrate the water in a narrower
area so that it would last all season for the wildlife. So, when I learned
about this particular program (WRP) I thought "that’s the answer!" |
 Victor
Hurtig - There are two sites to the project and we may continue
to even add to what was started here. |
 Lee
Nelson - This particular piece (here) was one that our family
members have always wanted to have in a long-term program where it would not
be broke out and it would be saved for future generations. The actual
wetland program (WRP) fit it very well. We got compensation back for it and
also, it is in a program where it won’t be broke out. |
 Bob
Fry - When we first started looking at the ground, we contacted
the local NRCS agent, Ron Briggs. He was very helpful in helping us
establish management objectives and suggested that we might want to consider
the Wetlands Reserve Program. We’ve been very happy with the WRP. It has
provided us with a lot more resources to expand the property, to develop
more systems than we could on our own. |
Getting Started
| You will need to contact your local NRCS staff to begin
investigating your options with WRP. The staff can provide you with the
program details and complete any on-site inventories to let you know if your
project might fit the program. |
 Coffeyville
Ducks - We made contact with the lcoal (NRCS) agent in terms of
doing some ground improvements…for the property to enhance it for wildlife.
We entered into the program and this is the culmination of a lot of effort
and anxiousness on our part to get it completed…to improve the acreage of
water and wildlife habitat. |
 Dallas
and Evelyn Nelson - We had two reasons – we want to keep it
(the wetland) in the shape its in and, secondly, economic. There was a
payment for it and I think it’s a fantastic program. When wetlands are
identified, they should be preserved…where the farmer has to pay taxes on
them, I think there should be some way that the general public can help
support that. |
 Hattie
Siron - (Ed Siron was one of the first WRP participants in
Kansas. Ed passed away recently and Hattie, his wife, now manages the
property and is carrying on his dream for the land) Ron Briggs, DC – When
the program became available in Kansas, Ed had read about it in a farm
magazine…he came into my office and wanted to know how the program might fit
his operation. We looked at it, we arranged and had a wetland determination
made, found out how much of it was actually wetland, how much of it was
restorable wetland, and practically all of it was eligible to enroll in the
WRP. |
Enrollment Options
Several options exist for enrolling land in WRP. Those options are:
- Permanent easement
- 30-year easement
- Restoration cost-share agreement
| Program Options |
Easement Payment |
Restoration Cost-share |
*Easement Recording Fees |
| Permanent Easement |
Pays 100% of market appraisal; geographic area rate; or
landowner offer, whichever is less |
Pays 100% of restoration cost |
Pays 100% of recording fees |
| 30-Year Easement |
Pays 75% of market appraisal; geographic area rate; or
landowner offer, whichever is less |
Pays 75% of restoration cost |
Pays 100% of recording fees |
| **Restoration Cost-Share Agreement |
No Easement |
Pays 75% of restoration cost |
N/A |
*Includes recording fees, charges for abstracts,
survey and appraisal fees, and title insurance.
**The agreement is a contract, for a minimum of 10 years, to re-establish
degraded or lost wetland habitat.
10-Year Restoration
| Terry Alstatt, DC – A landowner may
consider going into a 10-year restoration agreement as opposed to a 30-year
or perpetual easement if he’s got a specific site he is interested in
developing but isn’t really interested in losing control of the ground. |
Victor Hurtig, Landowner - We're
leasing this acreage to the wetland people (NRCS) and in 10 years it is
turned back to us, but we basically have control over the wetland during
that period. There are two sites to the project and we may continue to even
add to what was started here.
I am hoping I’ll have a grandson that
can maybe come out here and shoot a duck sometime.
We are trying to provide some habitat for wildlife…I have destroyed
habitat in the past thinking that we needed more to farm, so I am trying to
give back a little for what I took. |
WRP Ranking
WRP uses a ranking system for each application and all applicants compete for
the program dollars available in Kansas. The process is not difficult and your
local NRCS staff can explain the details.
Partnering Points
One way to gain more ranking points is to look for partners who might be able
to help you pay for the restoration costs.
Other agencies, conservation districts, and private conservation
organizations may provide additional money for easement payments and wetland
restoration costs reducing your share of the costs and improving your score.
| Ben Duell – Fred Wedel, DC – The
partners involved in this Wetlands Reserve Program process are the Kansas
Department of Wildlife and Parks, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other
groups that are supportive like Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, and
other wildlife groups…that help this project and other WRP projects become a
reality. |
Hattie Siron – Ron Briggs
– We entered into an agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – an
extension agreement through the Partners (for Fish and Wildlife) Program and
used that money to replace a water control structure and repair a dike. |
For more information on whom those partners are and how you can contact them,
see the list below.
How is WRP Working for people enrolled?
| Lee Nelson – This program is really
fitting us well – it fits us well and we feel it fits the land as far as
future generations. It’s roughly 390 acres of grass and then there is
cropland which will be put back to grass making a total of 513 acres. |
Bob Fry – Two things – that
the WRP has really helped us with…number one – we had great help from the
NRCS staff…they have helped us immensely to define our objectives and to
help us design and implement these diverse ecosystems (that was our initial
objective). The WRP funding also has helped us put in a lot more
infrastructure than we otherwise would have and allowed us to build a lot of
diverse background with trees…with moist soil units…than we could have on
our own. |
| Dallas and Evelyn Nelson – The
landowner has control of the access, he can hunt it, he can lease it for
hunting…everything is so favorable. The only thing is that he has to take
care of it which is what you should do anyhow. |
To ensure success in getting your wetland project on the ground, you need to
begin with a sound plan. No matter what program you are considering...a good
plan lays out your objectives and will help direct your decisions.
The first step in getting started is to talk with your local NRCS staff or a
Kansas Wildlife and Parks biologist. They will help you through the planning
processes as well as the program applications you will need to complete.
The Wetlands Reserve Program may be a good fit for you as you consider how
you can make the most of your wetlands.
WRP a plus for producers
| Ben Duell – We may over the long-term,
say 20-30-40 years, maybe get a little less income by going into this
permanent easement project, but we think we'll be sufficiently rewarded if
we can get it fully developed into a sort of wildlife sanctuary. |
Bob Fry – I have another 170 acres
about two miles from here that we are in the process of putting into the
program now, so I guess that is a pretty good testimony that we are very
pleased with the program. |
| Hattie Siron – We have enrolled it in
the easement…in the wetland (WRP) and we have 235 acres in. The benefits are
good...I think it is a good idea. |
Dallas and Evelyn Nelson – It is a
win-win situation for everybody! Any farmer that has some property that is
designated as being wet - hydric soils - I would certainly encourage them to
go to their county NRCS office and talk about it (WRP). |
As you can see, some of your neighbors are using the WRP as a tool to help
them manage their operations and make the most of their wetlands. Maybe you
should look into the Wetlands Reserve Program!
Who to Contact
For more information on the Wetlands Reserve Program contract your local
- NRCS/conservation district office
- Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks biologist
- Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams (KAWS)
Partners List
This information was developed by Kansas Alliance for
Wetlands and Streams (KAWS) in agreement with NRCS.
This story is also available for download and requires
Acrobat Reader.
Wetlands
Reserve Program in Kansas (PDF; 698 KB)
Last Modified:
08/27/2008
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