2005 Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) Accomplishments

Minnesota received $10.1 million in Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) funding in Fiscal Year 2005. These funds were obligated to 31 producers on 6,595 acres in ten counties. Of the 6,595 acres funded in 2005, two easements totaling 2,700 are owned by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) as part of the Glacial Ridge Project.

In addition, Minnesota became the second state in the Nation to receive funds for the Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program (WREP). The WREP is a 5-year partnership between NRCS and the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources in which Minnesota will contribute up to $1.2 million in money and in-kind services during the life of the project. In FY 2005, NRCS funded $5.3 million worth of WREP applications with 15 landowners in Freeborn and Mower Counties and the Manston Slough project in Wilkin County.

Minnesota led the Nation in 2005 with recorded WRP easements which resulted in 73 easements recorded on 15,600 acres in 19 counties. Of those, 54 easements were recorded on 12,770 acres in five of the Habitat Corridors recognized by The Minnesota Habitat Corridor Partnership as recommended by the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources. Other highlights include a 5,060 acre easement with TNC at the Glacial Ridge Project in Polk County. TNC also donated land which included 2,000 acres of land in a WRP easement to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as part of the establishment of the Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge.

In Clay and Norman Counties, the acquisition of easements on the multi-landowner Ulen Project was completed. This project consists of eight easements covering 1,266 acres.

In Carver County, a partnership between three landowners, NRCS and the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust led to the acquisition of easements on 319 acres along the Minnesota River. The remainder interest was purchased by the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust who will soon donate the land to the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge managed by the USFWS.

Field offices reported 4,186 acres of restoration in FY-2005, including 2,490 acres of wetlands restored and 1,695 acres of associated uplands restored.

On Earth Day 2005, USDA Secretary Mike Johanns, accompanied by Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, 1st District Congressman Gil Gutknecht and other State and local dignitaries visited the Grosland Family Farm in Steele County. The Grosland farm is a 189 acre permanent WRP easement. To celebrate Earth Day the Secretary toured the farm and planted native shrubs along with 200 local school children. In his remarks the Secretary emphasized the contributions of NRCS Earth Team volunteers and announced the approval of the CREP II project.

Easement Numbers and Costs

Accomplishment Maps

Program Contacts

Tim Koehler, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs
Phone: 651-602-7857
Email: tim.koehler@mn.usda.gov

John Corrigan, Wetlands Reserve Program Specialist
Phone: 651-602-7876
Email: john.corrigan@mn.usda.gov

Jean Sieben, Wetlands Reserve Program Specialist
Phone: 651-602-7873
Email: jean.sieben@mn.usda.gov

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