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

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