United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water (WH-556F). Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds (A-104 F) EPA843-F-93-001 q March 1993 4*EPA WETLANDS FACT SHEET #17 Wetland Acquisition and Restoration: Funding and Technical Assistance Seventy-four percent of the remaining wetlands in the contiguous United States are located on pri- vate property. As stewards of the land, private property owners have a tremendous opportunity to safeguard the Nation's wetlands resources through wise land-use decisions. Many Federal, State, and local programs as well as private and non-profit organizations offer cost-sharing, technical, and often direct payment assistance to private landowners to protect, restore, and create wetlands. Much of the information, and funding involves agricultural-re- lated activities in wetlands, however, ample resources also exist for landowners who engage in other activi- ties. Options for private landowners include land banks, transferrable development rights, deed re- strictions, easements to conservation organizations- -all of which can provide tax breaks-and leases of rights to hunt, fish, harvest timber, and trap fur- bearing animals on the property. The EPA Wetlands Hotline, staffed by a contract- ing company, can provide you with more informa- tion about the agencies and program requirements discussed in this fact sheet, as well as publications and regional contacts in your area. In addition, your local Soil Conservation Service office or County Ex- tension Agent may know of additional State and local programs. Governmental Assistance The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) supports many sources of assistance for wetland acquisition and restoration through several offices: The Agricultural Stahflte»*inn and Conservation Service (ASCS). oversees programs such as the Agricultural Res- toration Program (ARP), the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP), the Water Bank Program, and the Agricultural Conservation Program (ACP). •Contact: USDA ASCS, Conservation and Environmental Protection Division, P. O. Box 2415, Washington, DC 20013. The Fanners Home Administration (FmHA) provides debt reduction assistance on FmHA loans in exchange for con- servation easements. •Contact USDA FmHA, Room 5449, Washington, DC 2025(M)700. The U. S. Department of the Interior (USDOD helps pri- vate landowners through the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service OJSFWS). These programs include Partners for Wildlife (Private Lands Assistance and Restoration Program), and the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) Joint Ventures. •Contact: USDC4, USFWS, North American Waterfowl and Wetlands Office, 4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Arlington, VA 22203. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), through its Office of Wetlands. Oceans, and Watersheds. Wetlands Division and the contractor-operated Wetlands Hotline, offers information on current EPA wetland conser- vation, acquisition, and restoration initiatives. •Contact: US EPA, OWOW, Wetlands Division (A-104 F), 401 M St., SW, Washington, DC 20460. Private/Non-Profit Assistance In the private sector. Ducks Unlimited administers the MARSH (Matching Aid to Restore States Habitat) Program. •Contact: MARSH Program Coordinator, 1155 Connecticut Ave, NW, #800, Washington, DC 20036. The Nature Conservancy provides help through the Natu- ral Areas Registry. •Contact: 2 Wisconsin Ave^ Chevy Chase, MD 20815. The Izaak Walton League offers the Partners for Wetlands program. •Contact: 1401 Wilson Bvd, Level B, Arlington, VA 22209. Private Land Trusts assist landowners in acquiring and restoring wetlands using a master planning process to select a variety of programs based on the landowner's resource needs, goals, and opportunities. •Trust for Public lands 312 Massachusetts Ave., Washington, DC 20002 • Land Trust Alliance 90017th St, NW, Washington, DC 20006 The U. S. Forest Service (USFS) administers the Forestry Incentives Program (FIP), the Stewardship Incentives Pro- gram (SIP), and the Forest Legacy Program. •Contact: USDA USFS, Cooperative Forestry Staff, Auditor's Building, 20114th St, SW, Washington, DC 20250. •American Farmland Trust 1920NSt.,NW, Washington, DC 20036 For more information contact the EPA Wetlands Hotline at 1*800*832*7828 * * contractor operated ------- |