Natural Resources Conservation Service Announces Upcoming Wetlands Reserve Program Application Ranking Dates

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The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Kentucky is accepting applications for the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). Upcoming application ranking cut-off dates are Jan. 3, 2011; April 8, 2011; and June 17, 2011.

&nbspApplications are continually accepted and those applications received after the cut-off dates will be deferred until the next ranking cycle.

&nbspThe WRP is a voluntary program offering landowners the opportunity to protect, restore and enhance wetlands on their property. Through this program, NRCS has provided Kentucky landowners with more than $29 million to restore over 17,000 acres of cropland, pastureland and other altered lands to their original wetland conditions.

&nbspWhile NRCS purchases an easement and all management rights under the program, the landowner retains the rights to hunting and fishing and can keep, sell or will the land title.

&nbspThe 2008 Farm Bill authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to pay as compensation for a WRP easement the fair market value of the land, as determined by an appraisal or an area-wide market analysis or survey. The amount paid is limited to a geographic cap or the landowner offer, whichever is less.

&nbspNRCS has obtained a market analysis for many Kentucky counties and has established the easement compensation amount for cropland and pastureland. This allows the landowner to know up front the amount NRCS will pay to purchase an easement on qualified land.

&nbspIn 2010, NRCS, in partnership with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and other federal and state agencies, worked with 29 private landowners to voluntarily enroll more than 2,200 acres at an estimated purchase cost of over $6 million, the highest amount ever in a single year for Kentucky. “Even with high crop prices and volatile land prices, this is a testament to the popularity of the program,” according to NRCS Assistant State Conservationist Jack Kuhn.

&nbspLandowners can enroll their land under a permanent or 30-year easement option for a lump sum easement payment, and up to 100 percent of the wetland restoration costs. Eligible lands include farmed wetlands, prior converted cropland, farmed wetland pasture, farmland that floods from rivers and farmland with somewhat poorly drained soils. Eligible lands also include current or abandoned cropland with tile lines, drainage ditches, dikes or other similar alterations.

&nbspFor more information about this program, please contact your local NRCS-USDA office. You may also call Kentucky Fish and Wildlife at 1-800-858-1549 for the name of the private lands biologist serving your area.

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