News Feature                                                            4/23/2009

Wetland Restoration Program Signup Begins April 20

Local-State-Federal Partnership Offers Competitive Rates Through June 5, 2009

County Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) are announcing a RIM-WRP partnership sign-up beginning April 20th. This program offers competitive payment rates for landowners to enroll in a program to restore wetlands that have been drained and have a history of being used for agricultural production. The program is a local-state-federal partnership that combines the state’s Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) Reserve conservation easement program with the USDA Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP).

Combining these two easement programs allows state funds to leverage federal funds that are available through the Federal Farm Bill. Funding for this partnership is through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR).

Restoring wetlands on privately owned lands provides many public benefits, such as enhancing wildlife habitat, improving water quality and reducing potential flood damage in targeted areas.

“Minnesota received 20 percent of the federal WRP funds that were available nationwide through the WRP program in 2008, so we are developing a good reputation for success compared to other states,” said William Hunt, MN NRCS, State Conservationist. “The key to success is the effective outreach to landowners that is being done by local SWCDs, along with other conservation partners, NRCS, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, and the Minnesota Waterfowl Association.”

The state funding is expected to be provided from the constitutionally dedicated outdoor heritage fund, based on a recommendation of the Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council.

Details of the RIM-WRP Partnership:
• To leverage federal funds that are available until the end of the federal fiscal year, the RIM-WRP signup period is from April 20 to June 5, 2009.
• Interested landowners should contact their local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) or Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) staff at their local USDA Service Center.
• Eligibility is statewide, but priority is given to areas of Minnesota that have experienced the greatest wetland losses.
• Competitive payment rates have been established for this partnership using township average land values. Contact your local SWCD or NRCS field office to determine your payment rate per acre by township.

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