The purposes of WBP include preserving and improving major wetlands as habitat for migratory waterfowl and other wildlife, conserving surface waters, reducing soil and wind erosion, contributing to flood control, improving water quality, improving subsurface moisture, and enhancing the natural beauty of the landscape.

Funded applicants receive an annual per acre payment: $50/acre on cropland, $35/acre for pastureland (including non-cropped wetlands), and $20/acre for forestland. All contracts are nonrenewable 10-year rental agreements based on high, medium, and low priority rankings for each land use: 

• High: Cropland impacted by flooding.
• Medium: Pasture, hay and range lands impacted by flooding.
• Low: Forest and other lands impacted by flooding.

Landowners impacted with flooding on cropland, pastureland, hayland, rangeland, forestland, and other lands are encouraged to apply. South Dakota is accepting applications June 5, 2025, to July 3, 2025.

More Information

To learn more about NRCS programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center. Producers can also apply for NRCS programs, manage conservation plans and contracts, and view and print conservation maps by logging into their farmers.gov account. If you don’t have an account, sign up today.

For 90 years, NRCS has helped farmers, ranchers and forestland owners make investments in their operations and local communities to improve the quality of our air, water, soil, and wildlife habitat. NRCS uses the latest science and technology to help keep working lands working, boost agricultural economies, and increase the competitiveness of American agriculture. NRCS provides one-on-one, personalized advice and financial assistance and works with producers to help them reach their goals through voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs. For more information, visit nrcs.usda.gov.  

###

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.