Funding Database: Wetland Reserve Easement

Through the Wetland Reserve Easements program, the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) provides technical and financial assistance to landowners and American Indian tribes. Recipients can use funding to restore, enhance and protect wetlands. 

To enroll land in the program, NRCS enters into purchase agreements with eligible participants. The agreement includes the right for NRCS to develop and implement a Wetland Reserve Plan of Operations. This plan details practices to help restore, protect and enhance the wetlands functions and values. 

The Wetland Reserve Easements program is part of the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program. The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program helps landowners, land trusts and other entities protect, restore and enhance wetlands. The program can also help protect working farms and ranches through conservation easements.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible participants include owners of privately held land including land that is held by American Indian tribes.

Eligible Projects

Land eligible for this program includes privately held farmed or converted wetlands. Wetlands must be degraded by agricultural or forestry uses. NRCS will only accept submissions for land that can be cost-effectively restored. NRCS prioritizes applications based the easement’s potential for protecting and enhancing habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife.

Funding Amount

NRCS enrolls eligible land through the following options:

• Permanent Easements are conservation easements in perpetuity. NRCS pays 100% of the easement value for the purchase of the easement, and 75% to 100% of the restoration costs. 
• 30-Year Easements expire after 30 years. Under 30-year easements, NRCS pays 50% to 75% of the easement value for the purchase of the easement, and 50% to 75% of the restoration costs. 
• Term Easements last for the maximum duration allowed under applicable state laws. NRCS pays 50% to 75% of the easement value for purchase. NRCS also pays between 50% to 75% of the restoration costs. 
• 30-Year Contracts are only available to enroll acreage owned by American Indian tribes. Program payment rates are commensurate with 30-year easements. 

For Wetland Reserve Easements selected through this program, NRCS pays all costs associated with recording the easement in the local land records office. These costs include recording fees, charges for abstracts, survey and appraisal fees and title insurance.

Match Requirements

NRCS provides 90% of the appraised value of the land for permanent easements. The landowner must provide the remaining 10%. NRCS provides 100% of the wetland restoration costs.

Application Schedule

NRCS accepts applications on a rolling basis. Applications are batched once a year, typically between November and February, for consideration. NRCS posts the exact date on the website each year.

Application Process

Landowners of the property offered for enrollment must meet Farm Service Agency payment eligibility criteria.

Application Assistance

NRCS staff are available to provide one-on-one support with program applications and explain all components of easement options before enrollment.

Funding Source

The US Department of Agriculture provides this funding through congressional appropriations.