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U.S. Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
9173 W. Barnes Dr., Suite B
Boise, Idaho 83709

For more information:
Bob Bartholomew (208) 378-5703
Jody Fagan, (208) 685-6978

July 3, 2006

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WRP Flyer  (PDF, 473 KB)

Special Conservation Sign-up to be Held Along Lower Henry's Fork River

REXBURG, ID—Landowners along the Lower Henry’s Fork River in Madison County can bid up to $1500 per acre for conservation easements as part of a special Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) sign-up this month.

This portion of Madison County, Idaho, is one of only eight areas in the nation being offered the opportunity. The area includes lands extending one to two miles west of the river and east to Highway 20.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Idaho is holding this reverse auction sign-up for WRP to help landowners receive financial incentives to restore, protect and enhance wetlands along the Lower Henry’s Fork River in exchange for retiring marginal land from agriculture.

“Land along the Lower Henry’s Fork River contains some of the most critical wetland habitat in Idaho,” says Bob Bartholomew, NRCS assistant state conservationist for programs. “The area provides habitat for a host of species including bald eagles, trumpeter swans and cutthroat trout.”

Eligible landowners can enroll historic wetlands and areas that were once riparian forest into the program. Unique cottonwood/aspen forests were once dominant in the area.

This pilot program is different in that it will involve a self-assessment of future wetland values and a per-acre bid to create an environmental benefit index. Bids exceeding $1500 per acre will not be considered. The index is calculated by dividing the environmental points into the overall easement acquisition cost. Costs of actual wetland restoration are not considered in the ranking.

Two enrollment options are available:

  • A 30-year easement—landowner receives 75 percent of the approved landowner easement bid plus 75 percent cost share on approved wetland restoration practices.
  • A perpetual easement—landowner receives 100 percent of easement bid plus 100 percent of all approved restoration costs.

Landowners retain private ownership and control access to their land.

“While it may appear the easement payment may not be great, I hope landowners will consider the value of NRCS paying for the restoration of these wetlands,” Bartholomew says. “We’ve seen a trend in the area of healthy wetlands adding significant value to sometimes marginal cropland.”

The sign-up will be held until July 28. For more information, landowners are encouraged to contact the Rexburg NRCS office at (208) 356-3218, or Bob Bartholomew at (208) 378-5703.

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