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 | Wetland Restoration Program Signup Begins April 20 | | Local-State-Federal Partnership Offers Competitive Rates through June 5, 2009
The Blue Earth County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is announcing the sign-up for a Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) – Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) partnership beginning April 20. The program offers competitive payment rates for landowners to restore wetlands that have been drained and have a history of being used for agricultural production. The program is a local-state-federal partnership that combines the state’s RIM conservation easement program with USDA’s WRP.
Combining the two easement programs allows state funds to leverage federal funds that are available through the Federal Farm Bill. Funding for this partnership is provided through the federal USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the state Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR). The state funding is expected to be provided from the constitutionally dedicated outdoor heritage fund, based on a recommendation of the Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council.
“Restoring wetlands on privately owned lands provides many public benefits, such as enhancing wildlife habitat, improving water quality and reducing potential flood damage in targeted areas,” noted William Gardner, Blue Earth SWCD Supervisor.
Minnesota received 20 percent of the federal WRP funds that were available nationwide through the WRP program in 2008. “We’d like to build on the success of the 2008 sign-up and are taking this opportunity to reach out to the landowners in Blue Earth SWCD to make sure they’re aware of this important program,” stated William Gardner.
Details of the RIM-WRP Partnership:
• To leverage federal funds that are available until the end of the federal fiscal year, the RIM-WRP signup period is from April 20 to June 5, 2009.
• Eligibility is statewide, but priority is given to areas of Minnesota that have experienced the greatest wetland losses.
• Competitive payment rates have been established for this partnership using township average land values.
• Interested landowners should contact the Blue Earth County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) or Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) staff at their local USDA Service Center at (507)345-4744 ext 4.
SWCDs fill the crucial niche of providing land and water conservation services to owners of private lands. Minnesota has 91 Soil and Water Conservation Districts. For more information on the Blue Earth County Soil and Water Conservation District, please call (507)345-4744 ext 4, stop by our office at 1160 South Victory Drive, Mankato, or visit the district’s web site at www.blueearthswcd.org.
4/29/09. |
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