The Freeborn Soil and Water Conservation District is announcing the sign-up for a Reinvest in Minnesota Wetlands Reserve Program partnership. The program offers competitive payment rates for landowners to restore wetlands that have been drained and have a history of being used for agricultural production. The program is a local-state-federal partnership that combines the state’s RIM conservation easement program with USDA’s WRP.

Combining the two easement programs allows state funds to leverage federal funds that are available through the Federal Farm Bill. Funding for this partnership is provided through the federal USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the state Board of Water and Soil Resources. The state funding is expected to be provided from the constitutionally dedicated outdoor heritage fund, based on a recommendation of the Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council.

Minnesota received 20 percent of the federal WRP funds that were available nationwide through the WRP program in 2008.

To leverage federal funds that are available until the end of the federal fiscal year, the RIM- WRP signup period is through June 5. Eligibility is statewide, but priority is given to areas of Minnesota that have experienced the greatest wetland losses.

Interested landowners should contact the Freeborn Soil and Water Conservation District or Natural Resources Conservation Service staff at their local USDA Service Center at 373-5607, ext. 3.