Oregon Wetlands Reserve Program

Oregon Wetlands Information

• Success Story — Polk County Restoration Project
• Oregon WRP Web Information

Overview

The Oregon WRP is focused to address the following issues on private and public lands:

• restoration of the functional role of wetlands in agricultural ecosystems;
• development of habitat for migratory birds;
• restoration and preservation of areas for ancient crops for traditional, cultural practices and subsistence; and
• restoration and connectivity of aquatic and riparian habitat for endangered species.

Landowner interest is high but limited funds and low probability of funding, discourages their participation.  WRP is a good way to retain open space, respect private property rights, benefit fish and wildlife and to remove unproductive or inappropriate cropland land from cultivation.

Benefits

WRP in Oregon:

• provides for recovery of endangered species through restoration of wetland habitat for use by fish - cold water and warm water species - and wildlife at critical periods of their life-cycle;
• improves water quality and quantity through restoration of natural water-flows,
• reduces flood damages;
• re-establishes ancient crops important to Native Americans for traditional, cultural practices and subsistence;
• restores native wetland communities to benefit migratory and nesting birds;
• reduces siltation in lakes and other water bodies; and
• provides landowners an opportunity to restore wetlands in a way compatible with agriculture and economic development

From Fiscal year 1995 through fiscal year 1999 Oregon has enrolled 17,929 acres in WRP.

Partnerships

The following groups have participated in WRP at various locations throughout Oregon:

Contact

Bill White, 503-414-3085

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