Wetlands Reserve Program


The Wetlands Reserve Program is a program offering landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on their property. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service administers the program with funding from the Commodity Credit Corporation.

Establishment

The WRP was established by the 1990 Farm Bill. The 1990 Farm Bill was and became Public Law No: 101-624. Amendment added provisions to the program. Subsequent farm bills have amended the program.

Provisions

Producers enrolling in the program must agree to implement approved wetland restoration and protection plans. In return, participating producers receive payments based on the difference in the value of their land caused by placing an easement on a portion of it. The program reached its authorized enrollment ceiling of before the 2002 farm bill was acted upon. The 2002 legislation reauthorized the program with mandatory funding from the Commodity Credit Corporation through FY2007, and set a maximum enrollment ceiling of 2.275 million acres.