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New York Wetlands Reserve Program

New York Wetlands Information

Overview

Wetlands in New York are essential to the ecological balance in nature. One-third of our nation’s bird species depend on wetlands—and so do most species of wildlife. New York State’s Wetlands Reserve Program’s (WRP) focus is on restoring open water and emergent habitat to old agricultural wetlands that will provide migratory bird nesting habitat. Nesting habitat restoration is valuable in New York because it is a breeding bird (duck) state as identified in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan.

New York State is one of the original nine states selected to implement the WRP, resulting in 590 contracts (easement and restoration option) on 26,800 acres of land. Program interest from landowners has been tremendous. They currently have 195 applications on 4,450 acres of land, which will be considered for funding during the 2001 fiscal year.

Site before restoration Site after restoration
WRP site before and after restoration

WRP restoration activities that are underway include low berms, dikes, potholes, level ditching, ditch plugs, nesting islands, tile breaks, blasting of potholes and level ditches, and microtopography diversity. The picture on the right is an example of a pothole created with the blasting technique.
Pothole created with the blasting technique
Pothole created with the blasting technique.

New York landowners are interested in, and sign up for, WRP because of the wildlife values of wetlands, the opportunity to give something back to future generations, land stewardship, educational opportunities, quiet enjoyment, quality of life, environmental concern, and economic gain.

Benefits

WRP acreage in New York provides a variety of ecological benefits. The WRP sites provide wildlife habitat for migratory birds, threatened and endangered species, and other wildlife, with an emphasis on waterfowl.

Throughout the State WRP provides income to borderline farm operations. Program funds have allowed small family farmers either to remain in business or maintain family ownership. There also is income derived from marginal lands. Socially, WRP participants are doing their part to protect the environment.

Local economies benefit by bringing money back into the communities from the hiring of local appraisers, surveyors, title companies, abstract firms, and closing attorneys. Money is brought back into these communities. NRCS leads the team of cooperating agencies and groups that plan local projects which include: hiring private contractors to install conservation practices, working with community groups on land use issues and education, and developing wetland areas for public use.

Partnerships

NRCS in New York is a national model for developing a partnership approach in wetland restoration. NRCS works with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA's Farm Service Agency, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Corps of Engineers, The Nature Conservancy, Environmental Protection Agency, Farm Bureau, NYS Ag and Markets and Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and Cornell Cooperative Extension Service on wetland restoration through the State Technical Committee. Many more partners are involved in carrying out WRP projects, including the Great Swamp Conservancy, Mohawk and Oneida Indian Nations, Ducks Unlimited, local units of government, and colleges. The partnership works together on:

  • Program Development
  • Program Implementation
  • Planning  -  WRP eligibility, ranking, practices, and permits
  • Installation - Construction
  • Public Relations
  • Educational Activities
New York pothole restoration photograph
Another New York pothole restoration example.

Contact

Mike Townsend, 315-477-6537



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