The Wetlands Reserve Program, a key component of the national effort to achieve no
net loss of wetlands, has helped restore 670,000 acres of agricultural wetlands.

Created by the 1990 Farm Bill, the program aims to restore 975,000 acres of wetlands
by 2000. Under the voluntary program, the Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS) pays landowners to place permanent or 30-year conservation easements on
eligible lands so they can be restored to wetlands. Another option, which doesn't
involve an easement, allows landowners to sign a 10-year, cost share contract to
restore wetlands on their land. NRCS and the landowner then develop a wetland
restoration and maintenance plan.

The program is funded through the Commodity Credit Corporation. Congress each
year limits the acreage to be enrolled. For FY '99, which began October 1, Congress
capped enrollment at 125,000 acres. Demand continually has exceeded the acreage
caps, leaving NRCS with a 350,000 acre backlog of eligible land. Once the program
reaches its 975,000-acre limit, perhaps in fiscal 2000, the Clinton administration wants
to expand it to 250,000 acres per year.

Under the permanent easement option, the federal government pays 100% of the
agricultural value of the land and all the restoration costs. In fiscal 1998, costs
averaged $891 per acre. About half the enrolled acreage included permanent
easements. Under the 30-year option, the government pays 75% of the appraised land
value for the easement and 75% of restoration costs. The feds paid $680 per acre in
fiscal 1998 under the 30-year option. About 30% of enrolled acreage involved 30-year
easements. Under the 10-year contract, landowners agree to let the government
restore wetlands on their land but no easement is created. Restoration costs are split
75%/25% between the government and the landowner. Costs averaged $238 per acre
in fiscal 1998. Under all options, the landowner retains ownership, pays property tax,
and controls access and use of the land for purposes compatible with restoration.
These include hunting and fishing and limited haying, grazing and logging. Other
agencies and conservation organizations may help pay for the landowner's share of the
costs.

NRCS has enrolled acreage in almost all 50 states. Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisi-

ana top the list, followed by Missouri, Iowa, California and South Dakota. U.S. Agricul-

ture Department service centers, state cooperative extension offices and local
conservation districts have details on the program.

Common Ground, Vol. 10, No. 1, November/December 1998