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Wetlands Reserve Program

Eslinger project in Perry CountyThe Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) 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 wetland restoration efforts.  The NRCS goal is to achieve the greatest wetland 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.

WRP Application Information

Applications are accepted by NRCS on a continuous basis throughout the year with cutoff dates to evaluate, rank, prioritize and select applicants. People may apply by completing the AD-1153 Application Form and submit in person, e-mail (must include signature), fax, or mail to their local USDA Service Centers. Application forms are available at your local USDA Service Centers in Pennsylvania or from the Pennsylvania website. There is no due date to apply but people are encouraged to apply early to increase likelihood of being offered a contract (See Evaluation and Ranking, below). Financial assistance eligibility is contingent on the person not starting the practice before having a signed and approved contract.

Applicants are asked to identify the practice(s) for which they are requesting assistance and the farm(s) on which the proposed practices would be installed.

Evaluation and Ranking

WRP uses an evaluation and ranking process to assess needs and cost effectiveness. The review of applications for Fiscal Year 2009 contract requests will begin at the end of August 2008 and will continue monthly as long as funds are available.


Funding

Contracts will be awarded to producers with the highest rankings until funds are exhausted. For fiscal year 2009, December 31, 2008 is the target date to complete contracting. Applications that cannot be funded can be retained for up to two years, after which time the producer will need to re-file a new application.

People interested in wetland restoration and wildlife habitat improvement practices are encouraged to develop a conservation plan that includes these practices.
 

Program Information

(These documents require Adobe Acrobat Document Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

Adobe Acrobat Document Fact Sheet
 Application
Adobe Acrobat Document Questions and Answers
 

Goals and Objectives

NRCS employee works with landowner to restore wetlands through WRP. Pennsylvania NRCS goals and objectives of the WRP are to assist eligible applicants in the restoration, creation, protection and enhancement of wetlands on their property through a voluntary, collaborative, cost-effective manner.

WRP is administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through consultation with the State Technical Committee. Through the use of the State Technical Committee, the following priorities have been established for the implementation of WRP in Pennsylvania:

  • Restoration, creation and enhancement of wetlands
  • Restoration and enhancement of Riparian Areas
  • Improved habitat for migratory birds
  • Improved habitat for Threatened and Endangered plants and animals

The following is a list of the most commonly used practices to meet our goals and objectives:

  • Wetland Wildlife Habitat management
  • Upland Wildlife Habitat Management
  • Water control structures
  • Creation of shallow wetlands
  • Tree Plantings
  • Conservation Buffers

Funding Distribution

 The distribution of WRP financial assistance funds in Pennsylvania will be accomplished on a statewide basis.  Our goal is to obtain a distribution of WRP permanent easements, 30-year easements and cost-share agreements that closely resembles the interest of applicants across the state.

Ranking Criteria

The ranking criteria for Pennsylvania was developed in consultation with the State Technical Committee and Federal, State and local wildlife agencies and organizations.  Applications are evaluated utilizing the statewide ranking criteria.

FY 2007 Easement Ranking Form             

FY 2007 Non-Easement Ranking Form           

Eligibility/Preliminary Planning Worksheet                                                                  


Publications

These documents require Adobe Acrobat

restored wetlands Restoring America's Wetlands, Report on Program Accomplishments (5.1 MB)

— June 2002 — This NRCS report is for landowners, agency personnel, and others that are interested in the wetland restoration accomplishments of the WRP since 1994.

  Brochure – Restoring America's Wetlands (3.6 MB)

— This NRCS brochure is for landowners and others who want to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands. It covers the benefits of wetlands conservation and describes the Wetlands Reserve Program, options available for landowners, and the program's enrollment steps.

WRP Sign Up Information is Now On-Line!

WRP Sign-up information is now available online.  The links below provide access to the forms and information needed to signup for WRP.

Adobe Acrobat Document Form AD-1153, Application for Long-Term Contracted Assistance
Adobe Acrobat Document Form AD-1154, Conservation Contract or Agreement
Adobe Acrobat Document Form AD-1154, Attachment A, General Contract Provisions
Adobe Acrobat Document Form AD-1154, Attachment B, Special Contract Provisions
Adobe Acrobat Document Form AD-1155, Conservation Plan and Schedule of Operations
Adobe Acrobat Document Form AD-1155A, Conservation Plan and Schedule of Operations, Signatures
Adobe Acrobat Document Form AD-1156, Conservation Plan and Schedule of Operations Modification
Adobe Acrobat Document Form AD-1161, Application for Payment

USDA Service Center EForms Web Site - for instructions and information

Easement Forms Available Online:
Adobe Acrobat Document Form AD-1157, Option Agreement to Purchase
Adobe Acrobat Document Form AD-1157A, Option Agreement to Purchase, Amendment 1
Adobe Acrobat Document Form AD-1158, Subordination Agreement and Limited Lien Waiver
Adobe Acrobat Document Form AD-1159, Notification of Intent to Continue
Adobe Acrobat Document Form CCC1255, Warranty Easement Deed for Permanent Easements
Adobe Acrobat Document CCC1255A, Warranty Easement Deed for 30-Year Easements
Adobe Acrobat Document  Form NRCS-CPA38, Request for a Certified Wetland Determination
Adobe Acrobat Document Form NRCS-LTP13, Conservation Program Status Review

 

Program Contact

Martha Joseph, Pennsylvania WRP Manager, 814-796-6760, ext. 114

Barry Frantz, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs, 717-237-2216