USDA Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program Gets Underway 

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced the first nationally approved Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program (WREP) partnership.

The $26 million Lower Missouri River WREP project in Nebraska will be the first to enhance the state's wetland restoration efforts. Partners in the WREP project set a goal to enroll 18,800 acres for a total cost of $26 million through 2007-$20.4 million for easement purchase and $5.6 million for wetland restoration. So far, partners have committed $1.9 million to reduce wetland restoration costs to USDA.  The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) approved fiscal year 2004 funding for up to $4 million in financial assistance and $212,000 in technical assistance. To learn more about the WREP program, visit http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/wrp. State and local governments, tribes and organizations interested in WREP should contact their local NRCS office or County Conservation District for information about submitting a proposal. A list of contacts is available online at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/directory/specialists.html#StateOff.