WASHINGTON, Sept. 12, 2003—Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced the availability of $55.7 million for the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), to help protect wildlife, habitats and ecosystem health.

“The Bush Administration is committed to helping farmers and ranchers protect the environment,” said Veneman. “These funds will help farmers and ranchers voluntarily protect and restore our country’s valuable wetland ecosystems.”

The Natural Resources Conservation Service is utilizing an additional $42 million of WRP financial assistance funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation for the FY 2003 enrollment. These funds supplement the initial allocation of $240 million for WRP and provide additional financial resources needed to meet the Administration’s enrollment goal of 200,000 acres this fiscal year. The remaining $13.7 million are funds being reallocated to states with the highest WRP need or are needed to ensure that prior year enrollment levels are maintained.

WRP offers landowners the options of permanent easements, 30-year easements or restoration cost-share agreements. Landowners who have already submitted WRP applications to the local NRCS office will be notified when funds are available for their projects. The goal of the program is to achieve the greatest wetland functions and values, along with optimum wildlife habitat, on every acre enrolled in the program.

Detailed information on WRP and other conservation programs authorized in the 2002 Farm Bill is available on the Web at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/farmbill/2002/products.html .

Wetlands Reserve Program state funding list:

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