Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) Applications Are Being Accepted

Contact: Jasper Parker, 405-742-1243

Stillwater, Oklahoma Nov. 10, 2005—USDA and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are currently accepting applications for the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) according to State Conservationist M. Darrel Dominick. Landowners interested in restoring and protecting wetlands that have been impacted or converted are encouraged to make application at their local NRCS office.

The Wetlands Reserve Program’s primary objective is to restore former wetlands, re-establish native wetland wildlife habitat, and retire marginal land from agricultural production. According to a report by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Oklahoma lost approximately 1.8 million of its 2.8 million acres of wetlands between 1780 and 1980, reported as a 67% loss. “Wetlands benefit nature by providing fish and wildlife habitat, improving water quality by filtering sediment and chemicals, recharging groundwater, and by providing a host of recreational opportunities”, says Dominick. “Restored wetlands provide critical habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife species that are dependent on wetlands and native vegetation.”

Applicants may elect to participate in permanent easements, 30 year easements, or 10 year cost–share agreements. Permanent easement contracts include the total cost of installing the restoration practices and maintenance of those practices. For non-permanent, 30 year easements, NRCS will pay 75% of the value determined for a permanent easement and 75% of costs associated with establishing the restoration. 10-year cost-share agreements also provide up to 75% cost-share for installation of the wetland restoration practices.

The total WRP financial assistance allocation for fiscal year 2005 totaled $3.9 million. With this allocation, Oklahoma enrolled land into 7 restoration agreements for 198 acres, and 15 permanent easements restoring and protecting over 2,600 acres of wetlands and associated buffers. Since 1996, Oklahoma landowners have enrolled over 54,000 acres into the WRP through 224 agreements with over $34 million in federal assistance for acquisition and restoration of wetlands in 48 of Oklahoma’s 77 counties. Since enrollment, NRCS has worked directly with landowners, state and federal agencies, and private conservation organizations to complete hydrology restoration and tree plantings on over 38,000 of these acres. We are anticipating completing another 7,000 acres of wetland restoration this year.

Applications for enrollment in WRP will be accepted throughout the year. An interagency review team consisting of NRCS, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will evaluate and rank each application. Applications will be evaluated periodically (on or about January 2, April 1, and July 1) to consider and fund high priority applications. The applications will then be formally approved for contract development immediately after the evaluation period. Producers who want to learn more about WRP can contact the local  NRCS Field Service Center.

All programs and services of the Natural Resources Conservation Service are provided in a nondiscriminatory manner.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

< Back to Archived News Releases