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Wetland Reserve Program (WRP)
The Wetlands Reserve Program is a voluntary program offering landowners the
opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on their property. The
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides technical and
financial support to help landowners with their wetland restoration efforts.
The NRCS goal is to achieve the greatest wetland functions and values, along
with optimum wildlife habitat, on every acre enrolled in the program. This
program offers landowners an opportunity to establish long-term conservation and
wildlife practices and protection.
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 program offers landowners three options: permanent easements, 30-year
easements, and restoration cost-share agreements of a minimum 10-year duration.
Landowners and NRCS develop a plan for the restoration and maintenance of the
wetland.
As a requirement of the program, landowners voluntarily limit future use of
the land, yet retain private ownership. Landowners continue to control access to the land--and may lease the
land--for hunting, fishing, and other undeveloped recreational activities.
At any time, landowners may request that additional activities be evaluated
to determine if they are compatible use 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.
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