United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service		 Idaho Go to Accessibility Information
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Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP)

The Wetlands Reserve Program is a voluntary program offering landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on their property.  The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides technical and financial support to help landowners with their wetlands restoration efforts.  The NRCS goal is to achieve the greatest wetlands functions and values, along with optimum wildlife habitat, on every acre enrolled in the program.  This program offers landowners an opportunity to establish long-term conservation and wildlife practices and protection.

Wetlands provide habitat for fish and wildlife, including threatened and endangered species; improve water quality by filtering sediments and chemicals; reduce flooding; recharge groundwater; protect biological diversity; and provide opportunities for educational, scientific, and limited recreational activities.

The program offers three enrollment options:

  1. Permanent Easement is a conservation easement in perpetuity.  USDA pays 100 percent of the easement value and up to 100 percent of the restoration costs.
  2. 30-Year Easement is an easement that expires after 30 years.  USDA pays up to 75 percent of the easement value and up to 75 percent of the restoration costs.

For both permanent and 30-year easements, USDA pays all costs associated with recording the easement in the local land records office, including recording fees, charges for abstracts, survey and appraisal fees, and title insurance.

  1. Restoration Agreement is an agreement to restore or enhance the wetlands functions and values without placing an easement on the enrolled acres.  USDA pays up to 75 percent of the restoration costs.
     

The following document will require Adobe Acrobat Reader.

WRP Ranking Sheet  (PDF; 99 KB)


For more information on the WRP Program, go the National NRCS website.

For National WRP Fact Sheet, go here.

Local Contact:
Please contact the District Conservationist in the USDA Service Center nearest the location of your property. 

Idaho WRP Program Manager: 
Wade Brown
Phone: (208) 378-5724
Email: Wade.Brown@id.usda.gov

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