United States Department of Agriculture

Natural Resources Conservation Service

1351A HIGHWAY 146 Bypass Liberty, Texas 77575 PH. (936) 336-9145 Ext.3 FAX (936) 336-7224

Various Types of Assistance Available for Wetland Restoration and Enhancement

June 2000

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Lower Trinity Soil and Water Conservation District work together in Liberty County to provide technical assistance to private landowners, helping them conserve, improve and orderly develop their soil, water, plant, wildlife, and related resources.

There are several financial assistance programs available through the NRCS.

Texas Prairie Wetlands Program (TPWP):

This program is administered and funded by the USDA-NRCS, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Ducks Unlimited. Cost-share assistance (75 to 100%) is available to restore, improve, and create wetlands on private lands. A ten to fifteen year management plan (agreement) is developed jointly and is carried out by the landowner. NRCS and Ducks Unlimited write the management plan and survey and design any needed structures. The landowner agrees to follow the management plan (Wetland Development Agreement) for the life of the contract.

Wetland Reserve Program (WRP):

This federally funded program is administered by the NRCS. There are two basic requirements for the wetland to be eligible, the wetland hydrology must have been altered, and the wetland must be restorable. Applications are reviewed and compete on a statewide basis for WRP funds.

Three options are available:

1. Wetland Restoration Cost-Share Agreement The landowner agrees to a minimum ten-year contract(agreement) in return for cost-share (75%) to restore the wetlands. The landowner agrees to manage and use the area according to the Restoration Plan.

2. Thirty-Year Conservation Easement The landowner sells a 30-year easement to the NRCS for 75% of the appraised agricultural value of the land. NRCS pays 75% of the cost to restore the wetland. Management and use of the land during the easement period is granted to the landowner by NRCS through a management plan. The landowner is allowed some use of the land through the restoration plan and by making compatible use requests, which must be approved by the NRCS.

3. Permanent Easement The landowner sells a permanent easement to the NRCS for 100% of the appraised agricultural value of the land. NRCS pays 100% of the cost to restore the wetland. A permanent easement is attached to the deed. The landowner agrees to manage the land according to a management plan written by the NRCS, describing acceptable uses of the land.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD)

To file complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14^th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD.) USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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