10/24/06 WRP sign up deadline

Washington Ag October 24, 2006 Washington landowners interested in restoring or enhancing wetlands through USDA`s Wetland Reserve Program, or WRP, need to apply by November 3, 2006 if they want to be considered for funding in 2007. Sharon Bromiley with the state Natural Resources Conservation Service office says there are a lot of potential WRP restoration projects out there. Bromiley: "But I think some folks are hesitant to sign up because they think they have to get into a permanent easement and they don't. They can come in and say I have this wetland out here and I just want some help restoring it. And we can certainly assist them with that. There is a cost-share percentage. On a restoration agreement NRCS covers 75% of the cost and the landowner would have to be able to come up with 25% of the cost of the restoration, where under a permanent easement we pay 100% of the restoration costs." In addition to the 10-year restoration agreement and the permanent easement there is a 30 year conservation easement option. The state NRCS office has worked through all its back log of previous applications. Those interested in the voluntary program should contact their local USDA Service Center. Again the sign up deadline is November 3rd. I'm Bob Hoff.