United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service		 Tennessee Go to Accessibility Information
Skip to Page Content





How WRP in Tennessee Works

Last Modified: 07/08/2008

All applications received will be evaluated for participation in the program. Due to the adoption of set ranking criteria after passage of the 2002 farm bill, all previously unfunded applicants from prior years are automatically retained on the current application list unless requested to be removed from program consideration.

Landowner Eligibility

For easements, landowners must have owned the property for at least one year prior to submitting the application, unless the land was acquired by will or succession, or the NRCS State Conservationist determines that the landowner did not acquire the land for the purpose of enrollment in the program. To be eligible for a 10-Year Restoration Cost-Share Agreement, the landowner must only show evidence of ownership.

Land Eligibility

Upon receiving an application for participation in the program (How to Apply for the WRP Program) NRCS will conduct an onsite evaluation of the offered acreage to determine eligibility. Eligible lands include any of the following:

  • Prior converted cropland
  • Farmed wetland
  • Farmed wetland pasture
  • Former or degraded wetlands, i.e. drained wooded wetlands
  • Riparian areas that currently or will connect protected (determined by NRCS) areas
  • Wetlands restored under another state or federal program with contract length limits
  • Adjacent land that will contribute to the restored wetland functions and values in association with other eligible lands listed above

Eligibility Criteria

Upon meeting the landowner and land eligibility criteria a preliminary wetland restoration plan addressing the most practical and technically feasible wetland restoration activities for the site based on program objectives will be developed and the site will be ranked.

Program Participation

Applicants with the highest ranking sites (WRP Application Ranking and Selection) will be funded and offered the opportunity to continue in the program. For easement offers NRCS will order an appraisal. Funded landowners will receive an offer and can withdraw from the program with no financial obligation if the offer is not acceptable. If the offer is acceptable, NRCS will have the easement area surveyed and proceed with filing of the easement. Funded landowners may withdraw from the program at any time up to the point of closing, but will be financially responsible for all agency expenditures after the appraisal. Unfunded landowners may withdraw from the program at any time by contacting the NRCS office where the land is located.


< Back to WRP in Tennessee