Wetland Reserve Program (WRP)

Implementation in Washington State

Goals and Objectives

Washington States goals and objectives of the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) are to assist eligible applicants in the restoration, creation, protection and enhancement of wetlands on their property through a voluntary, environmentally safe and cost effective manner.

The Wetland Reserve Program is administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service through consultation with the State Technical Committee. Through the use of the State Technical Committee the following priorities have been established for the implementation of WRP in Washington State.

• Restoration, creation and enhancement of wetlands

• Restoration and enhancement of Riparian Areas

• Improved habitat for migratory birds

• Improved habitat for Threatened and Endangered plats and animals

• Restoration of estuarine wetlands.

The following is a list of the most commonly used practices that will be used to meet our goals and objectives:

• Wetland Wildlife Habitat management

• Upland Wildlife Habitat Management

• Water control structures

• Creation of shallow wetlands

• Tree Plantings

• Conservation Buffers

Funding Distribution

The distribution of WRP financial assistance funds in Washington State will be accomplished on a statewide basis.  Our goal is to obtain a distribution of WRP permanent easements, 30-year easements and a cost-share agreements that closely resembles the interest of applicants across the state.

Ranking Criteria

The ranking criteria for Washington State was developed in consultation with the State Technical Committee and Federal, State and local wildlife agencies and organizations.  Applications are evaluated utilizing the statewide ranking criteria.

Application Process

The application process is a continuous process throughout the year.  Eligible applicants may apply for WRP utilizing form AD-1153.

• At any USDA Service Center by phone, email, internet "eCommerce", fax, or letter.

• Internet "eCommerce applications will be submitted in accordance with instructions found at http://www.sc.egov.usda.gov.

• The applicants signature and date are required on the AD-1153.

Application Ranking and Selection

This process occurs throughout the year.  NRCS establishes a cutoff date for applications to be evaluated and ranked.  This is normally done in October and again in May.

Once an application is received by NRCS:

• NRCS contacts the applicant to conduct an evaluation and ranking of the application

•  Application are ranked against all other applications in the state.

•  Applicants selected for funding receive a "Letter of Tentative Acceptance and Intent to Continue" from NRCS, which is required to be returned to NRCS in 15 days.

•  Upon return receipt of the "Letter of Tentative Acceptance and Intent to Continue", NRCS conducts an appraisal on the property to be enrolled in WRP.

•  NRCS sends the applicant an "Option to Purchase" letter which specifies the amount NRCS will pay for the acquisition of the easement based on the completed appraisal. Applicants have 15 days to accept this offer and return it to NRCS.

• Once the "Option to Purchase" is accepted and returned to NRCS, NRCS proceeds with perfection of the easement.

• This entire process normally takes 6-8 months.

Restoration Plan

Once NRCS acquires the easement or signs a cost share agreement with an applicant, NRCS works with the applicant to develop a final restoration.  The final restoration plan identifies what, when, where and how the restoration will be completed.  It is NRCS' goal to begin implementation of the final restoration plan within one year and to be completed within 3 years.

Restoration Plan Implementation

For permanent easements and 30-year easements, NRCS or their representative will conduct and coordinate the restoration activities.  For 10-year cost share agreements, the applicant will have the option of obtaining technical assistance to complete the restoration from either NRCS or a certified Technical Service Provider (TSP).

Contact

Dave Brown, Assistant State Conservationist (Programs)
(509) 323-2971;  Alt Phone: (509) 323-2900
E-mail: david.brown@wa.usda.gov