Applications due December 20 at USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Offices.

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is now accepting applications for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program-Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (ACEP-WREP).  This voluntary program, authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill, is a component of ACEP-Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) through which NRCS enters into agreements with eligible partners to target and leverage resources to carry out high-priority wetland protection, restoration, and enhancement activities and improve wetland and associated habitats on eligible lands.

The focus of this funding will be in Nebraska’s four playa wetland complexes - Central Table Playas, Rainwater Basin, Southwest Playas, and Todd Valley.

“Playas provide critical spring staging habitat for an estimated 10 million waterfowl, over 500,000 shorebirds, and a significant portion of the federally endangered Whooping Crane,” Rainwater Basin Joint Venture Coordinator (RWBJV), Andy Bishop said. “Playas are also significant recharge points to the aquifer.”

According to Bishop, groundwater monitoring by RWBJV partners such as the Natural Resource Districts and Nebraska Department of Natural Resources suggests one acre of restored playa wetland can recharge 1.14 million gallons annually over a 35-day hydroperiod. This is sufficient water to irrigate 3.5 acres of cropland with a 6-inch allocation or drinking water for 38 Nebraskans/year based on Lincoln’s municipal water use, he said.

“This WREP builds off the success of four past WREP proposals that have positively impacted 6,140 acres with enrollment of 54 tracts into different NRCS easement programs,” Nebraska State Conservationist, Robert Lawson said. “This WREP has a continued focus on the wetland restoration as well as the enhanced irrigation practices such as pivot modification and Variable Rate Irrigation, to maximize our success to positively impact 600 acres of wetlands and upland buffers. This whole field approach will ensure that we do not just provide wildlife habitat, but also improve irrigation water management, help producers maximize nutrient management, and address surface and groundwater issues.”

Applications can be submitted at any time, but to be considered for fiscal year 2025 funding opportunities, applications in Nebraska must be received by the December 20, 2024, funding deadline.

“We encourage Indian tribes, local governments, non-governmental organizations and private landowners to contact their local NRCS office to find out how to apply,” Lawson said. “NRCS staff will work with all interested applicants to help them through the application process and provide one-on-one assistance to create the conservation easement option that works best for their farming or ranching operation.”

All WREP applications will be ranked according to the easement’s potential for protecting and enhancing habitat for migratory birds and fish along with other wildlife habitat.  Eligible applicants will be compensated with a payment rate comparable to the local land use value. Applicants will need to provide accurate records of ownership and ensure they have established fiscal year 2025 ownership eligibility with USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA).  Application information is available at your local USDA Service Center and at www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted. For more information about the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the programs and services it provides, visit your local USDA Service Center or www.ne.nrcs.usda.gov.

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