Sign-Up Begins For USDA’S Wetland Reserve Program

Nashville, TN — Tennessee’s farmers and landowners can now sign up for the USDA’s Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). The program is administered through the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The WRP) is a voluntary program offering landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on their property. Tennessee landowners have until February 29, 2008 to sign up for WRP).

Tennessee’s State Conservationist, Kevin Brown, says the program is designed to restore wetlands with the goal of maximizing wildlife benefits and recovering lost wetland functions and values. “The Wetlands Reserve Program offers Tennesseans an opportunity to be reimbursed for retiring from agriculture those lands that are marginally productive due to wetness. WRP funding will be awarded to eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis.”

Eligible lands include those that are privately owned; state, county, or non-federal publicly-owned; or tribal lands. The chances that eligible applications will be funded in 2008 are great 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.

The program offers landowners three options: permanent easements, 30-year easements, and restoration agreements. The program pays for 100% of the restoration costs for permanent easements and 75% for 30-year easements and restoration agreements. After an agreement has been reached, the landowner continues to control access to the land -- and may use or lease the land for hunting, fishing, and other undeveloped recreational activities. At any time, a landowner may request that additional activities be evaluated to determine if they are compatible uses for the site. This request may include such items as permission to cut hay, graze livestock, or harvest wood products. Compatible uses are allowed if they are fully consistent with the protection and enhancement of the wetland.

Sign-up information for WRP is available at local NRCS offices or conservation districts in each county, or go to the NRCS website at http://www.tn.nrcs.usda.gov and look under Programs.