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Wetlands Reserve Program
The voluntary Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) offers landowners options for easements or restoration cost share agreements to restore wetlands, associated uplands and riparian habitat on agricultural landscapes. Fiscal Year 2012 WRP application cutoff is October 31, 2011 for all enrollment options. Fiscal Year 2013 application cutoff is May 15, 2012 for all enrollment options. The purpose of the program is to restore, protect and enhance wetlands for the benefit of migratory birds and other wetland-dependent wildlife and plants, including species of concern and those that are state and federally listed. In addition to providing benefits to wildlife, WRP helps restore active floodplains along creeks and rivers, aids in flood control, and improves water quality by restoring environmentally sensitive, frequently-flooded cropland back to permanent vegetation. In Oregon, WRP targets marginal agricultural land that is subject to flooding, saturation and inundation and projects with a high likelihood of restoring wetland functions and values. Oregon WRP priorities dovetail with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) “Conservation Strategy for Oregon.” This document was developed by federal, state, local and private wildlife agencies and partners to promote a common direction in the creation, restoration and enhancement of wildlife habitats in Oregon. The following document requires
Adobe Acrobat.
Geographic Area Rate Cap (GARC)The GARC is a set per-acre payment rate for specified regions that represent variations in land use. Rates are updated annually as a diminutive value of the fair market land value and are determined with input from the State Technical Committee. GARCs for Fiscal Year 2012 are pending and will be available January 2012. Land and Applicant EligibilityWRP targets marginal agricultural land where planned restoration has the potential to maximize wildlife habitat, improve water quality, and aid in the recovery of special status species. Eligible land includes privately owned and Tribal cropland, rangeland, grassland, pasture land and private, non-industrial forest land. WRP sites must contain historic wetlands that have been degraded or converted to agricultural use and that have the potential for restoration or natural hydrology functions. Also eligible are lands that have been substantially altered by human manipulation of the landscape, and where present flooding and inundation make restoration of wetland functions and values likely. Adjacent parcels of non-cropped natural areas, slough channels, and uplands are also eligible if they significantly contribute to the habitat objectives of the project. A WRP applicant must be the owner of the land, either an individual or an entity. The applicant must provide proof of ownership, including recorded access rights. In addition, participants must be in compliance with High Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation Provisions of the Farm Bill and also meet Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) limitations. Eligibility for the easement option requires the landowner to have owned the property for seven years prior to submitting an application. Tribal lands held in trust by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) are eligible, tribal lands not held in trust, and Land owned by individual Indians is eligible if at least 50% of the landowners are Indian. Click here for information on the current WRP Eligibility Checklist.
Application ProcessApplications are accepted on a continuous basis, with selection cutoff dates set during the year. The following documents require
Adobe Acrobat. Ranking and EvaluationAfter the application cut-off date, NRCS evaluates WRP applications and ranks them according to established criteria. Those that best meet the program’s purpose to restore, enhance and protect wetlands are ranked highest for funding. Environmental factors include assessments of future habitat diversity, benefits to special status plants and animals, restoration of hydrology, the ability of the project to reduce habitat fragmentation, size of the offering, and improved water quality. Ranking also factors in a cost-analysis. Economic considerations include the combination of the cost of the easement payment and the cost of habitat restoration. In addition, partnership contributions, either from the landowner, or from a cooperating agency or non-profit organization, can result in even higher ranking scores. The following document requires
Adobe Acrobat.
Enrollment OptionsApplicants may choose one of several WRP enrollment options, depending on their long-term plans for the land: a permanent easement, 30-year easement, or 10-year restoration agreement. With each, the landowner retains ownership of the land and agrees to restore and manage a certain portion of their land as wetlands. Program participants voluntarily restrict agricultural and other activities for compatibility with the wetland management according to WRP requirements. Landowners retain title, quiet enjoyment, recreational uses, access control, and water rights not necessary for wetland management.
*Restoration payments are limited to $50,000 per year.
WRP Enrollment ProcessAfter applications are ranked, those selected for funding go through the enrollment process. For restoration agreements, this involves developing a restoration plan and signing a WRP contract. For easements, in addition to developing a restoration plan, the conservation easement must be legally placed on the land. This process may take 12 to 18 months. Click here to view current WRP enrollment process flowchart.
Additional InformationNRCS National WRP Web Site Contact Bari Williams Last Modified: 10/07/2011 |
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