Before Tiling this Fall Check Your Wetland Determination

September 28, 2005

Producers with uncertified wetland determinations dated prior to November 1996 need to contact their local USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) before tiling fields this fall, because they could be out of compliance with Food Security Act regulations. Wetland determinations performed in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s were performed solely on photo interpretations and are now invalid.

“With the wet spring and dry fall, many landowners will be planning to tile areas this fall,” said Mark Lindflott, NRCS wildlife biologist. “Many of these areas are potentially farmed wetlands.”

If producers tile these farmed wetland areas, they would be violating the Food Security Act and could lose USDA benefits, he said.

Many of the previous wetland determinations on these sites, especially in north central Iowa, are invalid, unless they have documentations in the case file they were given appeal rights with the determination, Lindflott said.

Any producers who are uncertain about the status of their wetland determination or need to complete a new wetland determination should contact their local NRCS office for assistance.

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NRCS: Helping People Help the Land

Contacts:
Mark Lindflott, NRCS State Biologist, 515-323-2221
Laura Greiner, State Public Affairs Specialist, NRCS, 515-323-2207

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