NRCS Easement Programs: Restoration and Stewardship Assistance Grant for Wetland Conservation

The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) was authorized as part of the Food Security Act of 1985, Title XII, Public Law 99-198 (7 U.S.C. 1281), as amended; Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990, Public Law 101-624, as amended; Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993; Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996; Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1998 and Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2001 and as amended, Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 and Section II of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, Public Law 110-234 authorized the Secretary of Agriculture to provide technical assistance under this program to eligible producers. It was repealed as part of the Agricultural Act of 2014, Title II of Public Law 113-79. However, funds have been authorized for the remaining restoration needs for this program.

The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) was established under the Agricultural Act of 2014, Public Law 113-79 Section 1265C (b)(4) (16 U.S.C. 3865). This authorized NRCS to establish the agricultural conservation easement program for the conservation of eligible land and natural resources through easements or other interests in land and combines the purposes and coordinates the functions of the wetlands reserve program, the grassland reserve program, and the farmland protection program. Under Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE), NRCS restores, protects, and enhances wetlands and associated uplands.

The purpose of the NRCS easement programs (ACEP-WRE, WRP) is voluntary conservation by landowners. The easement programs promote the restoration, enhancement, protection, maintenance and management of wetland systems and associated uplands that would contribute significantly to functions and values of these habitats. Through the easement programs, landowners may receive assistance to install or implement structural and/or vegetative and associated upland restoration practices on eligible land. The easement programs allow NRCS to request the services of, and enter into cooperative agreements with, non-Federal entities to assist in providing specialized assistance necessary to implement restoration plans..

Applicants will be responsible for assisting NRCS and landowners by providing technical assistance necessary to design and implement ACEP-WRE and WRP restoration plans, while at the same time improving and protecting habitats for environmental benefits. Performance may include any part or all operations necessary to design, construct, inspect, manage, and monitor various restoration, enhancement, and creation practices. Performance may also include other restoration-related conservation practices that meet NRCS standards and specifications. In addition to technical assistance applicants will also be responsible for coordination with landowners to provide NRCS with monitoring efforts of existing easements as outlined in ACEP manual, Section 528, subpart P.The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) was authorized as part of the Food Security Act of 1985, Title XII, Public Law 99-198 (7 U.S.C. 1281), as amended; Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990, Public Law 101-624, as amended; Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993; Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996; Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1998 and Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2001 and as amended, Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 and Section II of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, Public Law 110-234 authorized the Secretary of Agriculture to provide technical assistance under this program to eligible producers. It was repealed as part of the Agricultural Act of 2014, Title II of Public Law 113-79. However, funds have been authorized for the remaining restoration needs for this program.

The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) was established under the Agricultural Act of 2014, Public Law 113-79 Section 1265C (b)(4) (16 U.S.C. 3865). This authorized NRCS to establish the agricultural conservation easement program for the conservation of eligible land and natural resources through easements or other interests in land and combines the purposes and coordinates the functions of the wetlands reserve program, the grassland reserve program, and the farmland protection program. Under Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE), NRCS restores, protects, and enhances wetlands and associated uplands.

The purpose of the NRCS easement programs (ACEP-WRE, WRP) is voluntary conservation by landowners. The easement programs promote the restoration, enhancement, protection, maintenance and management of wetland systems and associated uplands that would contribute significantly to functions and values of these habitats. Through the easement programs, landowners may receive assistance to install or implement structural and/or vegetative and associated upland restoration practices on eligible land. The easement programs allow NRCS to request the services of, and enter into cooperative agreements with, non-Federal entities to assist in providing specialized assistance necessary to implement restoration plans..

Applicants will be responsible for assisting NRCS and landowners by providing technical assistance necessary to design and implement ACEP-WRE and WRP restoration plans, while at the same time improving and protecting habitats for environmental benefits. Performance may include any part or all operations necessary to design, construct, inspect, manage, and monitor various restoration, enhancement, and creation practices. Performance may also include other restoration-related conservation practices that meet NRCS standards and specifications. In addition to technical assistance applicants will also be responsible for coordination with landowners to provide NRCS with monitoring efforts of existing easements as outlined in ACEP manual, Section 528, subpart P.