Agricultural News
Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program Funding Announced
Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:28:20 CST
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service State Conservationist, Ron Hilliard announced this week the availability of Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program (WREP) funding to enter into agreements with eligible partners to carry out high priority wetland protection, restoration, and enhancement activities on eligible lands.
"Nationally, up to $17 million is available through General WREP for wetlands restoration and enhancements on a competitive basis," said Hilliard. "Eligible partners are encouraged to submit WREP proposals to our state office by February 10, 2012. The proposals will be evaluated by Oklahoma NRCS staff using a competitive process with recommended proposals being forwarded to the national NRCS office for review, ranking, and final selection."
WREP is a voluntary conservation program that works through partnership agreements with states, nongovernmental organizations and tribes. It is a component of the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) through which NRCS enters into agreements with eligible partners to leverage resources to carry out high priority wetland protection and improve wildlife habitat.
General WREP proposals may be submitted by eligible partners for individual projects, watershed-wide or larger geographical area. States and local units of government, Indian tribes and non-governmental organizations described in Section 501 (c ) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code may submit written proposals to the Oklahoma State NRCS office, 100 USDA, Suite 206, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74074. Proposals should be directed to the attention of Richard Zetterberg at Richard.zetterbert@ok.usda.gov
Proposals submitted by fax or through the US Grants.Gov website will not be accepted.
Benefits to the partners in WREP Agreements include:
· Involvement in wetland restoration in high priority areas;
· Ability to cost-share restoration or enhancement components beyond those required by NRCS;
· Ability to participate in management or monitoring of selected project locations; and
· Opportunity to utilize innovate restoration methods and practices.
WREP partners are required to contribute a financial or technical assistance fund match.
Click here to see the official announcement from USDA on this program.
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