Reserve Program Aims To Bring Back Wetlands

A voluntary federal program offers landowners payment in exchange for their help in restoring and protecting wetlands.

The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) can benefit landowners in improved water quality, reduced soil erosion and increased water supply, while at the same time making payment for lands that can be difficult to farm.

The program is administered by the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Those interested in participating must have clear title to the land and have owned it for at least 12 months. Eligible land must have the potential to contribute to the functions and values of wetland ecosystems. Land eligible to enter the WRP will generally fall into one of the following categories:

Lands with restorable wetlands: These could include farmed wetlands, prior converted cropland, farmed wetland pasture or lands substantially altered by flooding.

Lands adjacent to wetlands: These could include adjacent lands contributing to wetland functions, such as uplands and non-cropped natural wetlands.

Wetlands restored under other federal or state programs.

Conservation Reserve Program land. Eligible CRP land must have been enrolled in that program before Nov. 29, 1990 and would be eligible if it is likely to be returned to production after CRP contracts expire.

Riparian areas: Areas along streams or other waterway that link two or more wetlands if the area averages no more than 150 feet in width on each side of the stream and one mile in length. Waivers may be granted by the NRCS.

Eligible land can be entered into permanent easements, 30-year easements or restoration cost-share agreements.

Once land is accepted into the WRP, several payment and cost-share options can be chosen by the landowner. The landowner can still hay or graze, harvest timber and hunt and fish the land, as long as there are no adverse affects to the wetland.

Nebraska landowners have been participating in the WRP since 1994.

Other wetland restoration help is also available from the NRCS.

For more information, contact your local NRCS or Nebraska Game and Parks Commission office.