USDA Makes New Funds Available To Tennessee Landowners Through Wetlands Reserve Program

(NASHVILLE, TN) Nov 28, 2006 — Tennessee’s farmers and landowners are being urged to sign up quickly for the USDA’s Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). Landowners have until January 8, 2007 to sign up with their local District Conservationist for consideration in the current funding cycle. WRP is administered through the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Tennessee landowners eligible for WRP will receive financial and technical assistance to restore, enhance and protect wetlands. Tennessee’s State Conservationist, James W. Ford, said the program is designed to restore wetlands with the goal of maximizing wildlife benefits and recovering lost wetland functions and values. “In Tennessee, approximately 60-percent of the historic wetlands have been converted to other uses,” Ford said. “WRP offers Tennesseans an opportunity to receive reimbursements from the government in return for easements on their property for a specified period of time. In return, the landowner still retains ownership of the land, but it is not used for agriculture. The land gets to rest and recuperate while the landowner still maintains hunting, fishing, and trapping rights along with access and ownership.”

The Wetlands Reserve Program offers participants an opportunity to receive reimbursement for retiring from agriculture those lands marginally productive due to wetness. Eligible lands include those that are privately owned; state, county, or non-federal publicly-owned; or tribal lands.

NRCS in Tennessee received more than $5 million in WRP funding during fiscal year 2006—that is more than in any previous year. The chances that successful applications will be funded in fiscal year 2007 are greater now because there is currently no backlog of applications. The sooner applicants get their paperwork into NRCS, the sooner their applications can be reviewed and ranked, so landowners are being urged to apply as soon as possible.

All interested applicants should contact their local District Conservationist or visit the NRCS website at http://www.tn.nrcs.usda.gov/programs