Wetlands Reserve Program facts for kids
The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) is a special plan that helps protect and bring back wetlands. Wetlands are like nature's sponges, full of water and important plants and animals. This program is for landowners who want to help make their land better for these wetlands. The USDA (which is like the farming and nature department of the U.S. government) runs this program. They get help from a group called the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
How the Program Started
The Wetlands Reserve Program began in 1990. It was created as part of something called the Farm Bill. A Farm Bill is a big law that the U.S. government passes every few years. It helps guide how farming and food production work in the country.
The 1990 Farm Bill was a specific law known as Public Law No: 101-624. A part of this law, called an amendment, was added by Senator Robert Kasten. This amendment helped shape the rules for the Wetlands Reserve Program.
What Landowners Do
Landowners who join the WRP agree to special plans. These plans help to restore and protect wetlands on their property. This means they might plant certain trees or create areas where water can collect.
In return, the landowners get payments. These payments help make up for any changes in the value of their land. This happens because they agree to keep a part of their land as a wetland. This agreement is called an easement. An easement is a legal way to make sure the land stays protected for a long time.
Program Growth and Funding
The program became very popular. It quickly reached its first goal of protecting about 1.075 million acres of land. That's a huge area, bigger than many cities!
In 2002, a new Farm Bill was passed. This new law continued the Wetlands Reserve Program. It also gave the program more money to work with. This funding came from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). The new law allowed the program to protect even more land. It set a new goal of up to 2.275 million acres. This means even more wetlands can be saved and improved across the country.
