USDA to invest $30 million to protect wetlands in six states

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agriculture recently awarded $30 million in funding for projects aimed at the restoration, protection and enhancements of the nation's wetlands in six states.

Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska and Tennessee will share in the distribution of funds, which were provided through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP).

Authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, the WREP is administered by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). It allows states, local governments, non-governmental organizations and American Indian tribes to work with the NRCS and tribal and private landowners on protecting, enhancing and restoring wetlands on their properties. 

Each WREP partner contributes a funding match for financial or technical assistance as part of the voluntary program. 

“Through locally led partnerships like these, USDA is targeting conservation in the places that make sense, allowing us to address local concerns,” USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said. “These projects will improve water quality, prevent flooding, enhance wildlife habitat and meet increasing conservation challenges on over 19,000 acres of wetlands.”