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Wetland program restores 2 million acres in the U.S.Wetlands Reserve Program has restored over 65,000 acres in Nebraska Nebraska Landowners in Nebraska helped the Natural Resources Conservation Service reach a milestone in mid-October. Mark Rey, Agriculture Under Secretary of Natural Resources and Environment, announced Oct. 21 that landowners have enrolled more than 2 million acres in the Wetlands Reserve Program. Out of the 2 million acres enrolled nationwide, Nebraska landowners have enrolled roughly 65,000 acres since the program was first introduced in 1992, according to Randy Epperson, NRCS Program Manager. WRP is a voluntary program available through NRCS. WRP works with private landowners to restore and enhance wetlands on their property. Participating landowners can establish permanent or 30-year conservation easements, or can enter into restoration cost-share agreements where no easement is involved. According to Epperson, WRP is accepting more acres into the program than ever. "With the new program requirements authorized under the new Farm Bill the easement compensation to landowners has, in most cases, improved. Our offer acceptance rate is currently more than 80 percent, which is an all time high," Epperson said. Nebraska NRCS expects to see the number of acres enrolled in WRP to continue to grow. Nebraska currently ranks 13th in the nation, and according to Epperson, is one of the leaders in the Midwest behind Iowa and Minnesota. "Nebraska landowners have shown a lot of interest in restoring wetland acres. There has been a tremendous amount of interest along the Missouri River and in the Rainwater Basin area in south central Nebraska," Epperson said. Clay County farmer Max Leininger recently completed a 140-acre wetland restoration on his farm through WRP. He enrolled his wetland into a permanent easement and has been happy with the results. "We've really enjoyed seeing the wildlife using the area, plus is beats fighting to keep water off the cropland," Max said. Restored wetlands provide a dynamic ecosystem that support diverse populations of wildlife, plants, and fish. They supply habitat for hundreds of species, including many endangered and threatened species. They provide protection from floods by holding excess water. Often called "nature's sponges," wetlands help protect water quality by filtering out pollutants and offer aesthetic and recreational opportunities. Landowners interested in enrolling in WRP may do so at anytime. For more information about the Wetlands Reserve Program, or other conservation programs available through NRCS, please visit your local USDA Service Center or www.ne.nrcs.usda.gov/programs for more information. 12/1/08 Date: 11/24/08 Advertisement
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