Sign-up to Protect Wetlands and Grassland by May 1

MORGANTOWN, WV, April 2, 2009—West Virginia landowners interested in restoring, enhancing or protecting wetlands and grasslands may receive funding through the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) and Grassland Reserve Program (GRP).

Landowners must have their applications submitted to their local Service Center by close of business on May 1, 2009 to be considered for funding this year. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Farm Service Agency (FSA) will accept applications after May 1, 2009, but they will not be ranked until the next ranking period is announced. NRCS and FSA have Service Centers throughout the state to help landowners with the application process.

Through WRP, NRCS assists eligible applicants in the restoration, creation, protection and enhancement of wetlands on their property through a voluntary, environmentally safe and cost-effective manner. Landowners can receive assistance through three WRP program participation options: restoration cost-share agreements; 30-year conservation easements; or permanent easements.

GRP is also an easement program. It provides funding to purchase conservation easements or rental contracts, offering landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance grasslands on their property. The program emphasizes support for working grazing operations, enhancement of plant and animal biodiversity, and protection of grassland and land containing shrubs and forbs under threat of conversion.

For GRP, the 2008 Farm Bill provides priority for enrollment of expiring acreage from the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), limited to 10 percent of the total acres enrolled in any year. Eligible lands can be enrolled into a permanent easement or a rental contract of 10, 15, or 20 years. Restoration agreements based on a 50 percent cost-share may be placed on land enrolled under a rental contract or easement.

Easements for both programs will be based on the fair market value using an appraisal or area-wide analysis, a Geographic Area Rate Cap or on an offer made by the landowner.

NRCS and FSA encourage landowners who are interested in these voluntary programs to contact their local USDA Service Center today to be eligible for the initial funding. Additional information on WRP, GRP and other conservation programs is available on the Web at www.wv.nrcs.usda.gov. You may also contact Bill O’Donnell, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs, at (304) 284-7543 or bill.odonnell@wv.usda.gov.

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