Wetlands Reserve Program

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 assistance to eligible landowners.

Landowners have the opportunity of enrolling eligible lands through permanent easements, 30-year easements, or restoration cost-share agreements.  The program is offered on a continuous sign-up basis and is available Statewide.  This program offers landowners an opportunity to establish, at minimal cost, long-term conservation and wildlife habitat  enhancement practices and protection.

The NRCS goal is to achieve the greatest wetland functions and values, along with optimum wildlife habitat, on every acre enrolled in the program.  Long regarded as wastelands, wetlands are now recognized as important features in the landscape that provide numerous beneficial services for people and for fish and wildlife.  Some of these services, or functions, include protecting and improving water quality, providing fish and wildlife habitats, storing floodwaters, and maintaining surface water flow during dry periods.  These beneficial services, considered valuable to societies worldwide, are the result of the inherent and unique natural characteristics of wetlands.

Program Information

These documents require Adobe Acrobat.

Fact Sheet (50.57 KB)
Questions and Answers (51.72 KB)
Key Points (46.09 KB)
Program Description (56.19 KB)
Final Rule, 2002 Farm Bill - 7 CFR Part 1467 - June 7, 2002
Total Acres Enrolled from 1992 - 2007
Contracts Enrolled from 1992 - 2007

State WRP Signup Information

Program Contacts

Michael Kuck, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs, (605) 352-1206
Sara Thompson, Interdisciplinary Biologist, (605) 352-1281

< Back to Programs