Premier Wetland Restoration Easement Program Signup Begins June 26, 2008

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) announced the signup period for a state-federal wetland restoration program that will enhance wildlife habitat, improve water quality and reduce potential flood damage in targeted areas. 

The partnership combines the state’s Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) Reserve conservation easement program with the USDA Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). Combining these two easement programs allows state funds to leverage federal funds for conservation that are available through the recently enacted 2008 Federal Farm Bill.  

Details of the RIM-WRP Partnership:

§ To leverage federal funds that are available until the end of the federal fiscal year, the RIM-WRP signup period starts June 26, 2008, and the deadline to enroll is July 18, 2008.

§ Eligibility is statewide, but priority is given to the prairie pothole region of Minnesota. In addition, some state funds are targeted to specific areas where wetland restorations will provide much-needed flood damage reduction and other benefits.

For information on the Lincoln County payment rate per acre by township go to the Wetland Restoration Easement Program (WRP/RIM) Rates page.

For more information on the program and to signup for the WRP/RIM Easement Program contact the Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District/Natural Resources Conservation Service in Ivanhoe at 507-694-1630, x3.