Wetlands Reserve Program Sign-up

MORGANTOWN WV, November 19, 2004–The Natural Resources Conversation Service (NRCS) has announced that fiscal year 2005 sign-up is underway the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). Applications for WRP are accepted at anytime but the ranking deadlines are December 3, 2004, April 1, 2005, and June 17, 2005. To participate, landowners submit an application with their local NRCS office or conservation district office.

The Wetlands Reserve Program is a voluntary program offering landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on their property through permanent easements, 30-year easements and restoration cost-share agreements. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides technical and financial support to help landowners with their wetland restoration efforts. The NRCS goal is to achieve the greatest wetland functions and values, along with optimum wildlife habitat and wetland functions and values. This program offers landowners an opportunity to establish long-term conservation and wildlife practices and protection.

WRP is the Nation’s premier wetlands restoration program. WRP aims at restoring wetlands that have been impacted through agricultural activities while improving wildlife habitat for waterfowl. This has been accomplished through the restoration of hydrology and vegetation using measures such as: installation of small shallow impoundments, ditch plugs, removing subsurface drainage, tree planting and livestock exclusion. Currently, there are over 650 acres enrolled throughout West Virginia.

For more information please contact your local USDA Service Center, listed in the telephone book under U.S. Department of Agriculture, or your local conservation district. Information also is available on the World Wide Web at:
http://www.wv.nrcs.usda.gov/

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