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Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP)Overview The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) offers landowners a combination of permanent and 30-year easements, in addition to 10-year restoration agreements, for the purpose of restoring wetlands and associated uplands and riparian habitat on agricultural landscapes. WRP is a voluntary program that restores, protects and enhances wetlands for the benefit of migratory birds and other wetland dependent species, including state and federally listed species, and species of concern. In California, WRP targets marginal agricultural land that is subject to flooding, saturation and inundation, and that has a high likelihood of restoring wetland functions and values. In addition to providing benefits to wildlife, WRP helps to restore active floodplains along creeks and rivers and aids in flood control, and improves water quality by restoring environmentally sensitive, frequently-flooded cropland back to permanent vegetation. General information about the WRP program can be found at: Landowner EligibilityLandowners interested in participating in WRP should submit an application form AD-1153 to the local Natural Resources Conservation Service office (http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=ca). Eligibility for the easement option requires 1 year of ownership prior to submitting an application, and the landowner must be able to provide evidence of control of the land, including recorded access rights. In addition, participants must also be in compliance with High Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation Provisions of the Farm Bill and also meet the Adjusted Gross Income limitations. For consideration under the easement option, applicants should also submit a copy of the grant deed indicating that they meet the 7-year ownership requirement. A waiver process is available for those who do not qualify. Land EligibilityEligible land includes areas of historic wetlands that have been degraded or converted to agricultural use, and that have the potential for restoring natural hydrology functions. Also, land that has been substantially altered by human manipulation of the landscape, and where present flooding and inundation make restoration of wetland functions and values likely. In summary, WRP 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. 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. Ranking and EvaluationNRCS ranks eligible projects according to both environmental benefits and cost-analysis. 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. Economic considerations include the combination of the cost of the easement payment and the cost of habitat restoration, with less expensive projects receiving proportionately greater points. In addition, partnership contributions, either from the landowner, or from a cooperating agency or non-profit organization, can result in even higher ranking scores. Fiscal Year 2009 Program Application deadline is July 1, 2009. If you encounter problems with the files provided on this page, please contact
the Webmaster. Contacts Alan R. Forkey, Program Manager Jessica Groves, State Wetland Biologist |
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