Contract Information for Wetlands Reserve Program

NRCS accepts applications for all of our conservation programs throughout the year, but establishes funding periods to facilitate application review and contract development. The funding cycle for the WRP program is based on the need to establish land ownership, easement offers and restoration costs. The current application period for WRP will close on June 6, 2008. Applications received by that date will be considered for the 2009 program.

Who Is Eligible?

Owners of previously altered or drained wetlands that are or have been farmed in New Jersey may apply for assistance through WRP. The wetland functions and values must be able to be restored on at least a portion of the land under consideration for the program. To participate in a WRP easement, landowners must have owned the land for at least 12 months prior to application. To participate in a WRP restoration agreement, applicants must own or control the land under consideration for the minimum 10-year contract period. Land is not eligible for WRP if it is currently enrolled in another USDA Farm Bill conservation program such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) or the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP). Land is also ineligible if it is used for mitigation or if the land is owned by the federal government. The document below details the basic person and land eligibility requirements.

Documents with(Adobe icon) require Adobe Acrobat.
Applying for Federal Farm Conservation Programs (54 kb)

What Practices Can Be Funded?

Once program eligibility is determined, a conservation plan detailing the practices needed to restore the wetland functions and values will be developed. The plan will be the basis for a funding request for the restoration work.

How Do I Apply?

Applications for WRP will be accepted by NRCS Service Centers at any time during the year. You may download and complete the application materials below. Applications should be submitted to your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office either in person or by mail. For more information on WRP priority categories and benefits, contact your local NRCS Service Center.

AD-1153 Application for Long Term Contract (35 kb) -

Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification (AD-1026) (163 KB)
Español: Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification (AD-1026) (163 KB)

Average Adjusted Gross Income Certification (CCC-526) (152 kb)
Español: IDONEIDAD DE PAGO CERTIFICACIÓN DEL INGRESO BRUTO AJUSTADO PROMEDIO (Adjusted Gross Income Certification) (CCC-526) (153 kb)

Member’s Information (CCC-501A) (4310 kb) (Required when the applicant is not an individual)
Español: Member’s Information (CCC501A) (4310 kb)

The documents below are used during easement acquisitions and are provided for information only.
CCC-1255 WRP Warrantee Easement Deed (91 kb)
AD-1157 Option Agreement to Purchase (100 kb)
AD-1158 Subordination Agreement Limited Lien Waiver (108 kb)
Preliminary Certificate of Inspection and Possession (181 kb)
Land Acquisition Screening: Visual On-Site Inspection (65 kb)

How Are Applications Evaluated?

All applications for WRP are subject to review at the local NRCS office to ensure compliance with the 2002 Farm Bill person and land eligibility criteria. When these have been satisfied, a field visit is made to ensure the site characteristics are appropriate for restoration of wetland functions and values and to complete the WRP ranking evaluation.

If a restoration agreement application is highly ranked, a conservation plan is then developed. Based on the plan, preliminary designs are completed and an estimate of restoration costs developed. The applicant, who will be responsible for 50% of the implementation costs, then determines if they want to proceed. NRCS will request the necessary funds and draw up a formal contract agreement before any restoration work can proceed.

If an easement application is highly ranked, NRCS may proceed with a preliminary title search and fair market value appraisal. An offer for the conservation easement is made based on the lesser of the fair market value, the geographic rate cap, or the landowner’s offer. If accepted by the applicant, NRCS proceeds with surveying the proposed easement area and completing the easement acquisition. After the easement is acquired, NRCS will complete design of the restoration practices and request funding to begin the restoration work.

NJ WRP Ranking System (18 KB)

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Last Modified: April 30, 2008