Release No. 0429.04
Julie Quick (202) 720-4623
Mary Cressel (202) 690-0547
USDA RELEASES $2.1 MILLION TO RESTORE AND PROTECT WETLANDS IN 12 STATES
WASHINGTON, Oct.05, 2004-Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced the availability of $2.1 million in Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) technical assistance funds for technical service providers and other third parties to conduct restoration activities on WRP lands in 12 states.
"These resources will help expedite wetland restoration and enhancement activities and advance President Bush's wetlands initiative to restore, improve and protect at least 3 million acres of wetlands," Veneman said.
These funds will accelerate restoration of between 30,000 and 40,000 acres of wetlands. The use of third parties such as technical service providers, state governments and environmental groups expands the capability of USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service to restore acres enrolled in WRP projects.
WRP is a voluntary conservation program that offers landowners the opportunity to protect, restore and enhance wetlands on their property. The goal of the program is to achieve the greatest wetland functions and values and create optimum wildlife habitat on every acre enrolled in the program.
States receiving the WRP technical assistance funds are:
State WRP Funds forTechnical Assistance
California $300,000
Indiana $165,000
Iowa $100,000
Louisiana $300,000
Massachusetts $25,000
Michigan $35,000
Minnesota $300,000
Missouri $200,000
North Dakota $75,000
Oklahoma $200,000
Washington $200,000
Wisconsin $200,000
TOTAL $2,100,000
Additional information on WRP is available at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/wrp.
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