Wetlands are critically important to the maintenance of clean water, because all the plants and microorganisms in marsh soil filter out and tie-up nutrients, and even some toxic chemicals, preventing them from polluting and over-fertilizing lakes, streams and groundwater.

Wetlands are also important for flood control, because marsh soils act like sponges holding excess water and releasing it much more slowly than paved or bare surfaces.

Finally, wetlands provide the most productive type of wildlife habitat, helping to preserve many endangered species. 


What is the WRP?

The Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) is a voluntary program to restore and protect wetlands on private property.  It is an opportunity for landowners to receive financial incentives to enhance wetlands in exchange for retiring marginal agricultural land.
 
Congress authorized WRP under the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended by the 1990 and 1996 Farm Bills.  The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) --- formerly the Soil Conservation Service --- administers the program in consultation with the Farm Service Agency and other federal agencies.
 
Landowners who choose to participate in WRP may sell a conservation easement or enter into a cost-share restoration agreement with USDA to restore and protect wetlands.  The landowner voluntarily limits future use of the land, yet retains private ownership.  The landowner and NRCS develop a plan for the restoration and maintenance of the wetland.
 
The program offers landowners three options:  permanent easements (where USDA pays the cost of the easement and 100% of the restoration costs), 30-year easements (where USDA pays 75% of what a permanent easement could have cost plus 75% of the restoration costs), and restoration cost-share agreements of a minimum 10-year duration (where USDA covers 75% of the restoration costs.)

Other agencies and private conservation organizations may provide additional assistance for easement payment and wetland restoration costs as a way to reduce the landowner's share of the costs.  Such special partnership efforts are encouraged.
 
Anyone with restorable wetlands on agricultural land is eligible to participate.  Sign-ups started in October of 1996.  Projects are prioritized through a ranking formula.  If you are interested call your local NRCS District Conservationist --- their offices are usually organized on a county-wide basis.