USDA Announces Funding for Wetlands Conservation Assistance in 22 States and Puerto Rico
State Funding
Alabama $ 4,925,233
Arkansas $ 10,177,680
California $ 10,177,680
Florida $ 29,400,977
Georgia $ 1,881,920
Indiana $ 4,071,072
Iowa $ 6,106,608
Kansas $ 594,885
Kentucky $ 3,053,304
Louisiana $ 11,124,510
Minnesota $ 5,088,840
Mississippi $ 4,071,072
Missouri $ 20,864,244
Nebraska $ 18,319,824
New Hampshire $ 1,781,094
North Carolina $ 3,781,008
Oregon $ 6,680,754
Puerto Rico $ 668,202
South Carolina $ 4,071,072
South Dakota $ 4,071,072
Tennessee $ 6,106,608
Texas $ 14,738,553
Wisconsin $ 3,053,304
Total $ 174,809,516
Wetlands are areas saturated by water all or most of a year. Often called “nature’s kidneys,” wetlands naturally filter contaminants out of water. Wetlands also recharge groundwater, prevent flooding and soil erosion, and slow the flow of water that runs across the surface of the land.
Funded through the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill) WRP is a voluntary program that helps landowners address wetland and wildlife natural resource concerns on private lands. WRP participants limit their future use of the land, but retain private ownership.
WRP offers permanent easements that pay 100 percent of the value of an easement and up to 100 percent of easement restoration costs, and 30-year easements that pay up to 75 percent of the value of an easement and up to 75 percent of easement restoration costs. WRP also offers restoration cost-share agreements to restore wetland functions and values without placing an easement on enrolled acres; NRCS pays up to 75 percent of restoration costs.
For additional information about WRP, please visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/wrp/.
For information about other NRCS conservation programs, visit: www.nrcs.usda.gov, or visit the nearest USDA Service Center in your area. 2010 represents the 75th year of NRCS “helping people help the land.” Since its inception in 1935, the NRCS conservation delivery system has advanced a unique partnership with state and local governments and private landowners delivering conservation based on specific, local conservation needs, while accommodating state and national interests.
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