Small Town News

USDA offers funding for wetlands restoration

---

Private landowners interested in enhancing, restoring or protecting their wetlands have a second chance to apply for 2012 funding from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Idaho. Applications for 2012 Wetlands Reserve Program funding must be received by

Friday, July 27, 2012.

"Wetlands play a critical role in improving our environment filter out pollutants from our water, prevent floods, and control erosion," said Wade Brown, Idaho NRCS easement coordinator. "This program provides incentives to farmers and ranchers to return iarmlands that were previously wetlands back to their original wetland state."

The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) is a voluntary program that compensates farmers, ranchers and other private landowners for placing former wetlands into conservation easements. It also provides cost-share funding for restoring and enhancing wetlands. Landowners participating in this program retain the title to the land, and the right to control access and recreational use. The land remains on the tax rolls.

WRP includes permanent easements, 30-year easements, and a restoration cost-share agreement option. NRCS provides easement payments, restoration cost-share assistance, and technical guidance.

For more information on the Wetlands Reserve Program, contact your local NRCS office or visit http://www.id.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/wrp/index.html.



Copyright 2012 The Aberdeen Times, Aberdeen, Idaho. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

More from The Aberdeen Times