Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP)

The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) is a voluntary program that assists landowners in restoring, protecting, and enhancing wetlands on eligible private or tribal lands while maximizing wildlife habitat benefits.  The emphasis of WRP is to protect, restore, and enhance functions and values of wetland ecosystems on privately owned lands to attain habitat for migratory birds and other wetland-dependent wildlife and protection and improvement of water quality.  Agricultural production ceases from lands enrolled in WRP, but WRP lands are usually marginal agricultural lands poorly suited for efficient agricultural productions. 

Landowners who can provide clear title on privately owned lands and proof that the has been owned for at least 7 years (or proof of adequate assurances the land was not acquired for the purpose of enrolling in WRP) are eligible to participate in WRP.  The typical WRP site is a predominately level, low-lying area of cropland (may include areas of pastureland and woodland,) usually farmed wetlands or converted wetlands and also include functionally necessary adjacent uplands.   The wetlands are required to have hydric soils; the adjacent uplands are included to protect the integrity of the restored wetland, and may have a variety of upland soil types.  Under WRP, the wetland to upland buffer ratio can be as high as 1:1.

WRP Enrollment Options

1.  Permanent Easement. The United States is acquiring a permanent conservation easement on the property. For more information on the restrictions imposed by the easement, refer to the WRP Warranty Easement Deed (LTP–30.)  Payments shall not exceed fair market value of the land encumbered by the WRP easement. USDA will provide all administrative costs associated with the easement acquisition process.  Easement payments may be provided, at the participant’s request, in lump sum or annual payments (equal or unequal amounts) for up to 10 years. 

2.  30-year Easement. The United States is acquiring a 30-year conservation easement on the property. For more information on the restrictions imposed by the easement, refer to the WRP Warranty Easement Deed (LTP-30 30 years)

3.  Restoration cost-share agreement. Cost-share agreements will be the length of time to complete scheduled restoration practices plus 10 years.  Federal cost-share shall not exceed 50 percent of total actual costs of restoration. Participants will be paid upon certification of the completion of the approved practices by NRCS or an approved third party.  Payments may not exceed $50,000 per year. 

For more detailed information on the specifics of WRP, please download and review the documents listed below:

       WRP 2012 GA Supplement (PDF 165 KB)
       WRP Factsheet (PDF 220 KB)
       WRP 2012 Application Checklist (PDF 117 KB)
       WRP 2012 Notification to Landowner (PDF 94 KB)
       WRP 2012 Ranking Worksheet Sample (PDF 76 KB)
       WRP 2012 GARC Payment Reduction Waiver (PDF 257 KB)
       WRP 2012 Proposed Restoration Checklist (PDF 104 KB)