Wetlands Reserve Program
Department Of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
To assist landowners in restoring and protecting wetlands on eligible lands on which they agree to enter into a permanent or 30-year long-term easement (30-year contract for Indian Tribes), or a restoration cost-share agreement with the Secretary. The purpose of WRP is to maximize wetland functions and values and wildlife benefits on every acre enrolled in the program.
Jargon-free version
Helps landowners restore and protect wetlands to benefit wildlife and improve water quality. Participants can receive financial assistance for conservation efforts on their land.
Quick Facts
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What Is This Program?
What Benefits Are Offered?
Easements, technical help, and financial assistance to conserve agricultural lands, restore, protect, and enhance wetlands, and protect forestland resources on private lands. Financial assistance may include cost-share for implementing conservation practices. General program funding in 2024 included over $3 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act and over $2 billion from the Farm Bill.
Who Is Eligible?
Industries: agriculture, forestry, conservation, natural resources
Region: United States (state-level specific program ranking dates and eligible practices apply)
Demographics: Indian tribes
Other Criteria: landowners (including agricultural producers, farmers, ranchers), state and local governments, non-governmental organizations, applicants wanting to restore, protect, and enhance enrolled wetlands (Wetlands Reserve Easements component of ACEP), applicants wanting to maintain or enhance their land in a way beneficial to agriculture and/or the environment, must have control of the property (deed or lease agreement), must have an official tax ID (Social Security number or an employer ID), must establish a farm tract number with USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) if not previously utilized USDA programs, must certify compliance with adjusted gross income (AGI) limitation provisions, must comply with highly erodible land and wetland conservation requirements of the Food Security Act
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📋What Are the Application Steps & Timeline?
- 📝Steps to Apply
- Make a Plan
- Start an Application
- Check your eligibility
- Rank your application
- Implement your plan
- 🌐Application Portal
- https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/getting-assistance/how-to-apply
- 📤Submission Method
- online
- 🔄Intake Type
- continuous
📄What Documents Are Required?
- ✅Required Documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- SF-424A (Budget Information - Non-Construction)
- SF-424B (Assurances)
- Project Narrative
- Budget Narrative
- indirect cost rate agreement
- IRB approval letter
- environmental review
- 📐Format Requirements
- PDF only, max 10MB
- 📥Templates Available
- Agricultural Land Easement (ALE) Agreement
- ✉️Supporting Letters
- Letters of support/reference are required to substantiate the application.
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💰What Expenses Are Eligible?
- 🧾Eligible Expenses
- cost-share assistance for acquiring agricultural land easements
- monitoring and managing easements
- 🚫Ineligible Expenses
- costs incurred before program contract execution
- expenses related to non-eligible land
- administrative costs not specified
- 📏Expense Caps
- Administrative costs capped at 15%
- 💳Payment Model
- reimbursement
- ⏪Retroactive Expenses Eligible
- No
🤝Is Matching Funding Required?
- 🔀Matching Required
- Yes
- 📊Matching Ratio
- null
- 🏦Eligible Matching Sources
- cash
- in-kind
- 📚Stacking Rules
- null
- 🛡️Proof of Matching Required
- null
📊What Are the Reporting Requirements?
- 🗓️Reporting Frequency
- annual
- 📑Reporting Requirements
- performance progress report
- 🔍Audit Requirements
- OMB Uniform Guidance Single Audit if the recipient expends $750,000 or more in federal awards
- 📢Branding Requirements
- Acknowledgment of federal funding is required
- 🗄️Record Retention Period
- 3 years post-final-report
How Do I Apply?
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FAQFrequently Asked Questions
Visit the program page for detailed eligibility requirements.
This program offers funding up to $3,331,000 (minimum $818,000).
This program accepts applications on a rolling basis.
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