Funding Available for Wetland Protection and Habitat Improvement Projects

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Oregon State Conservationist Ron Alvarado today announced a funding opportunity for wetland protection, restoration and enhancement activities on eligible lands in Oregon. Proposals for projects are due by Feb. 10, 2012. Funding comes through the agency’s Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program (WREP), with up to $17 million available nationwide.

“This is a great opportunity for Oregon stakeholders to carry out high-priority wetland protection and improve wildlife habitat,” Alvarado said. “WREP is an important conservation tool for our Oregon partners and I encourage eligible organizations to apply.”

WREP is a voluntary conservation program that works through partnership agreements with states, nongovernmental organizations and tribes, as defined in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. WREP is a component of the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) through which NRCS enters into agreements with eligible partners to leverage resources to carry out wetland protection and improve wildlife habitat.

Benefits to partners in WREP agreements include:
• Wetland Restoration in high-priority areas;
• The ability to cost-share restoration or enhancement components beyond those required by NRCS;
• Participating in management or monitoring of selected project locations; and
• Opportunities to use innovative restoration methods and practices.

Eligible partners may submit general WREP proposals for individual, watershed-wide or larger geographical area projects. WREP partners are required to contribute a financial or technical assistance fund match.

Oregon NRCS will use a competitive process to evaluate the proposals. Recommended proposals will then be competed nationally for final selection and funding.

To submit a proposal or receive information about General WREP, visit http://www.or.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/wrep/index.html or contact Loren Unruh, State Programs Leader, (503) 414-3235, loren.unruh@or.usda.gov. WREP proposals submitted by fax or through Grants.gov will not be accepted.

For more information about NRCS and other programs, visit http://www.or.nrcs.usda.gov/.