Up to $15 million will be invested in conservation programs to protect, restore and enhance American wetlands on agricultural lands.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide the funding in the form of grants through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership, part of the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, a Farm Bill conservation program administered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, the leading federal agency for wetland conservation on private lands.
Technical and financial assistance grants will enable private landowners who voluntarily enroll eligible land into easements to protect and restore wetlands on their properties. The program provides for cooperative and partnership agreements among states, local governments, non-governmental organizations, American Indian tribes and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Restoring American wetlands will improve water quality downstream and promote wildlife habitat, and provide flood prevention and recreational benefits to communities.