Landowners who wish to participate in the WRP may sell a conservation easement or enter into a cost-share restoration agreement with USDA to restore and protect wetlands on their property. Ultimately, the landowner voluntarily limits future use of the land, yet retains private ownership, while working with the NRCS in developing a plan for restoration and maintenance of the wetland.
The program offers landowners three options:
- permanent easements
- 30-year easements
- restoration cost-share agreements of a minimum 10-year duration
1. Permanent Easement
This is essentially a conservation easement in perpetuity. Easement payment will be the agricultural value of the land, an established payment cap, or an amount offered by the landowner. In addition to payment for the easement, the USDA will pay 100% of the costs for restoring the wetland. See our Conservation Easements page for more information.
2. 30-Year Easement
This is a conservation easement lasting 30 years. Easement payments are 75% of what would be paid for a permanent easement. The USDA also pays for 75% of the costs for wetland restoration.
3. Restoration Cost-Share Agreement
This is an agreement (generally for a minimum of 10 years) to re-establish degraded or lost wetland habitat. USDA pays 75% of the costs for wetland restoration. This is not an easement, therefore, the landowner is not reimbursed for providing the restoration site.
Other agencies and private conservation organizations may provide additional assistance in easement payment and wetland restoration costs so the landowner's share of the costs is reduced.