Wetland Restoration Numbers Remain Strong

by Jason Johnson, USDA-NRCS

Iowa landowners continue to be among the Midwest and national leaders in restoring, protecting, and enhancing wetlands on marginal agricultural land, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 

A total of 6,256 acres in 33 Iowa counties were restored in 2004 through the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). Since 1992, more than 126,000 acres of wetlands in 84 counties have been restored or are in the process of being restored in Iowa under all NRCS wetland restoration programs.

Regionally, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska and Minnesota finished slightly ahead of Iowa in total restored wetland acres for 2004. A total of 189,144 wetland acres were restored in the U.S. this past year, with Arkansas, Louisiana and Florida leading the way.

Iowa is actually trending downward in terms of total restored wetland acres over the last couple of years, declining 15 percent from 2003 to 2004. Iowa NRCS Assistant State Conservationist for Planning Marty Adkins said the downward trend of these figures is a bit deceiving, however.

“Land values have gone up considerably over the past several years, and that is having an effect,” said Adkins. “We are also trying to maximize the benefits we get on each parcel of restored wetland.”

Demand for enrolling marginal agricultural land in wetlands cost-share programs remains high. Currently, there is a waiting list of 312 applications for the WRP in Iowa, comprising 30,185 acres at an estimated cost of $69 million to satisfy current demand.

Adkins said he expects interest in wetland restoration programs to remain strong for the foreseeable future. “NRCS will continue to use available dollars wisely and restore wetlands that provide important benefits for future generations of Iowans,” he said.

Since pre-settlement times Iowa has lost nearly 90 percent of its original wetlands. “Many years ago, a large number of wetland acres in Iowa were drained for farming,” said Adkins. “As these acres continue to be subject to flooding or as drainage infrastructure deteriorates and requires reinvestment, some landowners are opting to restore these acres back to wetlands.”

Wetlands provide many benefits to the environment, society and landowners. These benefits include wildlife habitat, water supply, flood prevention, improved water quality, sediment reduction, biodiversity protection, recreation opportunities and financial incentives.

“Wetlands help make Iowa a better place to live,” said Adkins. “They contribute to the state’s natural beauty. They provide a place on the landscape for hundreds of species of plants and animals, some of which are threatened or endangered.” 

In addition to the NRCS-administered WRP, USDA wetlands programs include the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and the Farmable Wetlands Program (FWP).

If you would like more information about wetland restoration, USDA programs, eligibility, landowner options and how to enroll, contact your local USDA Service Center, your local conservation district or go online at www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov.

Iowa Map - 2004 Wetland Acres and Easements
Iowa Map - 1992-2004 Wetland Acres and Easements
 

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