PRIVATE LANDOWNER S
WETLANDS ASSISTANCE GUIDE:
Voluntary Options for Wetlands
Steward s h i p in Maryland

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The Private Landowner's Wetlands
Assistance Guide:
Voluntary Options for Wetlands Stewardship
in Maryland
This guide was developed for Lwo one-day Maryland workshops held in the fall of 1992 in Eastern and Western
Maryland entitled, "A Land Ethic for Wetlands Stewardship: Assisting Private Landowners to Conserve and
Manage Wetlands." Cosponsors of the workshops include:
Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
American Farmland Trust
Association of State Foresters
Cooperative Extension Service, USDA
Forest Service, USDA
Land Trust Alliance
Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts
Maryland Cooperative Extension Service
Maryland Department of Agriculture
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Eastern Shore Resource and Conservation Development Council
Maryland Environmental Trust
Soil Conservation Service, USDA
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Western Maryland Resource and Conservation Development Council
Additional contributors include:
Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage
Ducks Unlimited
Farmers Home Administration, USDA
P.H. Glatfeltcr Company
National Lands Trust
The Nature Company
Power & Hall
Trust for Public Land
Westvaco Corporation
For information on availability of additional copies, please contact the Wetlands Protection Hotline
at (800) 832-7828.
® Recycled
Paper
PRINTED WITH
SOY INK
October 1992

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Acknowledgments
Many individuals, agencies, and organizations
contributed to the development of this reference guide.
This reference guide is the culmination of much effort
between the many cooperating parties that convened
regularly for over fifteen months to organize two
workshops: "A Land Ethic for Wetlands Stewardship:
Enabling Private Landowners To Conserve and
Manage Wetlands," as well as this guide.
In recognition of these efforts, special
acknowledgment is extended to John Jastrzembski of
the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Forestry Division, Kevin Smith and George Bcston of
the DNR Nontidal Wetlands Division and Pam Bush
and Nick Williams of the DNR Maryland
Environmental Trust; Ralph Adkins and Jonathan
Kays of the Maryland Cooperative Extension Service;
Roydcn Powell of the Maryland Department of
Agriculture, Lynnc Hoot of the Maryland Association
of Soil Conservation Districts; Jim Miller of the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Cooperative
Extension Service; Gordon Stuart of the USDA Forest
Service; Jim Richardson of the Maryland State Office
of the USDA Agricultural Stabilization and
Conservation Service; Norman Mclvin and Tom
Heislcr of the USDA Soil Conservation Service
(SCS); Dave Wilson of the Eastern Shore Resource
Conservation and Development Council; Ralph
Spagnolo of the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (USEPA) Region III office; Carol Wcinhold
of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and Norm Berg
of the American Farmland Trust. These individuals
responded generously with their time and expertise.
We cannot thank them enough for their unselfish
support.
Other organizations thai contributed to the
development of this guide are the USDA Farmers
Home Administration, Maryland Department of
Agriculture, and Maryland Department of
Transportation.
This guide would not have been written without the
help of our USEPA intern, Lara Whitely, who devoted
considerable time and effort to acquiring information,
writing the document and incorporating comments.
We arc also very grateful to Sara Nicholas at the
Environmental Law Institute for acquiring the material
and writing the private landowner chapter for the
Wetlands Protection Workbook from which this guide
drew heavily. Special thanks arc also extended to Judy
Johnson and Brad Fisher, USDA SCS, for formatting
the document, and to Anne McLaughlin and Mike
Godfrey at Lhe Maryland C(x>pcrative Extension
Service for producing the document and designing the
cover, respectively. We are especially grateful to Jean
Hockcr, Kathy Barton, and Karen Dean at the Land
Trust Alliance for their advice and expertise; Andrew
Johnson of Conservation Advisors, Michael Clark and
Randall Arcndt of Natural Lands Trust, for their time
and consultation; and Walter G. Van Dorn, Esquire,
for legal advice on the chart of available options. We
appreciate Curtis Clark for his guidance early in the
project. Special recognition goes to Glenn Eugstcr
and Jeanne Melanson, USEPA Wetlands Division, for
their guidance and supervisory roles throughout this
project. Finally, we wish to extend our very sincere
thanks to Marjoric Wesley of USEPA Wetlands
Division who conceived and managed this project from
its beginning to finish.
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Foreword
This guide was developed for the participants of the
Maryland workshops, "A Land Ethic for Wetlands
Stewardship: Assisting Private Landowners To
Conserve and Manage Wetlands." The guide was
written for field staffs of Federal, State, and local
agencies, and private and nonprofit organizations. The
guide contains information on selecting a management
plan and descriptions of existing voluntary options and
programs, and a list of contacts.
Private landowners value land in many different ways.
In addition to using their land as a place to live, many
landowners enjoy the natural and cultural resource
values of their property for recreation purposes or to
enhance the quality of their lives. Many landowners
have long practiced voluntary land and water
conservation as a way to manage and retain the special
natural and cultural values of their property. This type
of "stewardship" has contributed considerably to
meeting State and national conservation goals at little
or no cost to the government.
Private landowners also value their land as an
economic investment and a source of income. The
economic value or potential of a landowner's properly
is typically of great importance to the owner and often
will influence the decisions made about the existing
and future use of the land. As a result, the
conservation of private lands requires an approach
which is sensitive to the economic value of land and a
landowner's long- and short-range plans and
expectations for the property.
The options and programs identified in this guide are
intended to provide private landowners who are
interested in conservation with information about
public and private assistance programs which arc
available. The guide may be viewed as a way to help
private landowners conserve and manage wetlands and
other natural resources while attempting to
simultaneously meet their economic needs and goals.
As a portfolio of alternatives, the guide attempts to
bring to people's attention all of the government and
private sector financial and technical assistance
programs which they may be eligible for should their
property possess certain natural values. This approach
is based on a scries of successful private land
conservation efforts which have illustrated that
landowners can achieve natural resource protection and
economic goals. The guide offers the following types
of assistance:
•	Technical assistance in wetlands creation and
restoration, landowner master plans, management of
wildlife, forestry, and agriculture;
•	financial incentives including cash benefits, limited
development opportunities, cost sharing, tax
incentives, agriculture and forest lands, wildlife
agreements, and conservation management
agreements; and,
•	education and outreach opportunities for marketing
voluntary wetlands conservation programs.
Many options have been used historically. These
options may be used individually or in combination.
We hope this reference guide will enable field staffs to
recommend a management plan that will offer optimal
conservation of the wetlands resource while meeting
the goals of a private landowner.
J. Glenn Eugster
Chief, Wetlands Strategies and State Programs Branch
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Table of Contents
Acknowledgments				
Foreword	*	 		
Tabic of Contents		
Introduction	"	 	5
About The Private Landowner's Wetlands Assistance Guide	1
Compliance Requirements			2
Landowner Planning: Choosing Conservation and Management Strategics		
Choosing Voluntary Options For Protecting Privately Owned WcUands:
Examples of Landowner Planning	4
The Decision Tree: Choosing the Best Options for I lie Landowner			7
General Landowner Options
Tabic 1.—If the landowner wishes to retain ownership and guide future use of thc properly	8
Conservation Easements
Leases
Management Agreements
Mutual Covenants
Restoration
Limited Development Strategics
Transfer of Development Rights
Table 2— If thc landowner wishes to transfer the title with compensation	10
Sale options
Tabic 3.—If the landowner wishes to transfer thc title without compensation	tl
Donation of land
Sources of Assistance
Programs and Land Characteristics: A Quick Reference Guide	12
Landowner Program Descriptions	13
Federal Programs
Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service
Agricultural Conservation Program			13
Conservation Reserve Program	13
Water Quality Incentives Program	14
Wetlands Reserve Program	14
Farmers Home Administration
Farmers Home Administration Wetlands Related Options	15
Fish and Wildlife Service
North American WetlandsConseivation Act... .... 	15
North American Waterfowl Management Plan Joint Venture Projects.. ••	J6
Private Lcincls Assistance and Restoration Program (Partners for WiWlifc)			16
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Forest Service
Forestry Incentives Program	17
Forest Stewardship Program/Stewardship Incentive Program	18
Soil Conservation Service
Technical Assistance	18
Financial Assistance	19
Maryland State Programs
Department of Agriculture
Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost Share Program	20
Department of Natural Resources
Maryland Buffer Incentives Program	20
Maryland Woodland Incentives Program	21
Maryland Greenways Program	21
Maryland Non-Structural Shore Erosion Control Act	22
Nontidal Wetlands Protection Program	22
Program Open Space	23
Maryland Waterfowl Restoration Program	23
Wild Acres Program	24
Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program	24
Department of Transportation
Maryland State Highway Administration Mitigation Options	25
Maryland Cooperative Extension Service
Extension Natural Resource Education Programs	25
Non-Profit Organizations and Land Trust Programs
Farm Legacy Program	27
Chesapeake Care	27
Waterfowl Festival Sanctuary Program	28
The MARSH Program	28
MET Conservation Easement Program	29
Natural Area Registries	29
Private, Industrial Programs
Glatfcltcr Cost-Share Program	31
Westvaco Cost-Share Program	31
Maryland Tree Farm Program	32
Appendix 1: Federal and State Addresses	33
Appendix 2: Land Trust and Private Organization Addresses	36
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Notes

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Introduction
The future of our wetlands is closely linked to land-use
decisions made by the stewards of the wetlands resource.
Approximately three-quarters of the Nation's remaining
wetlands in the lower 48 Stales arc privately owned.
Therefore, the role of the private landowner in wetlands
conservation is crucial. To help the landowner become
an effective steward, those who work with the
landowner should be provided with a broad array of
voluntary conservation and management options from
which to choose a stewardship strategy. The voluntary
programs and contacts described in the following pages
are designed to provide the essential tools for effective
stewardship.
What arc wetlands? Why arc wetlands important?
Why do we want to conserve wetlands? These arc
commonly asked questions with answers that become
clearer as wetlands research expands. Previously
misunderstood as wastelands, wetlands arc now being
recognized for their vital ecological and socioeconomic
roles in the environment. With over 54 percent of the
Nation's original wetlands lost (excluding Alaska) and
an additional 200,000 acres disappearing every year,
protecting the remaining wedands within our country
has become a national priority.
What Are Wetlands?
Wetlands arc defined by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of
Engineers (COE) as "those areas that are inundated or
saturated by surface or groundwater for a frequency and
duration sufficient to support, and that under normal
circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation
typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions."
Wetlands are commonly referred to as swamps, marshes,
bogs, prairie potholes, and bottomland hardwoods.
Why Are Wetlands Important?
Wedands provide many vital ecological and
socioeconomic values and functions. Wetlands improve
water quality by removing chemicals and excess
nutrients, recycling nutrients, and removing sediment;
functioning in groundwater and surface water supply;
reducing surface runoff and soil erosion; serving as
habitat to fish, shellfish, waterfowl, and other wildlife;
and providing opportunities for recreation, scientific
study, and aesthetic enjoyment.
Why Do We Want To Conserve Wetlands?
Wetlands are also a very integral part of our economy.
The U.S. coastal marine fishing industry annually
harvests over $10 billion of commercial wetlands-
dependent fish and shellfish, including trout, perch,
catfish, menhaden, shrimp, oyster, and blue crab.
Wetlands save millions in annual flood, erosion, and
storm damage by temporarily storing Hood waters and
slowing water velocities. Damages from these
problems already cost the Nation S3 to $4 billion
annually. Wetlands can also be used to process
domestic wastes, saving millions in waste treatment
facilities costs. Finally, over $10 billion is spent
annually by an estimated 50 million people on fishing,
hunting, boating, nature study, photography, and
swimming in wetland areas.
Over the last two hundred years, the United States
has lost over 117 million acres of its wetlands through
dredge and fill activities, drainage, development,
pollution, and natural causes. This loss accounts for 54
percent of the total wetlands in the continental United
States during the colonial period. Ten states, including
Maryland, have lost 70 percent or more of their original
wetlands; 22 states have lost 50 percent or more. These
losses continue to have severe implications for the
environment. As more wetlands arc lost upstream,
erosion, flooding, and sedimentation of lakes and rivers
increases downstream. Furthermore, the decrease in
wetlands has affected waterfowl and other wildlife
populations dependent on wetlands. Decreasing
populations of waterfowl, fish, and shellfish arc a few
of the impacts caused by wetlands losses.
As understanding and appreciation for wetlands
increases, there has been a growing number of voluntary
programs to help landowners act as stewards of their
land by conserving and restoring wetlands. Through the
conscious efforts of concerned citizens, State resource
agencies, and local, State, and Federal governments,
wetlands have and continue to receive increased
protection.
About the Private Landowner's Wetlands
Assistance Guide
The Private Landowner's Wetlands Assistance Guide is a
comprehensive guide to Federal, State, and private/non-
profit programs offering technical and/or financial
assistance to private wetland owners within the State of
Maryland. Through the information provided in this
guide, those involved in the planning and production

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of "A Land Ethic for Wetlands Stewardship: Enabling
Private Landowners To Conserve and Manage Wetlands"
workshops in Maryland hope the guide will open new
possibilities for wcUands conservation, restoration, and
management on private lands.
Pages 3-7 describe the landowner planning process
often used by land trusts and State Natural Resource
agencies to help match voluntary programs and
conservation options to the landowner's specific needs.
The success of any conservation program hinges on
how appropriate the program is for the landowner
embarking on the program. It is critical to make the
most suitable match between conservation/management
goals of a program and the landowner's conservation/
management plans. By identifying the landowner's
goals, objectives, and other considerations, the
landowner can choose the best program for his or her
property from the menu of available programs.
Pages 8-11 contain a general chart listing and
defining the various general options available to
landowners for wetlands conservation. The chart also
lists the advantages and disadvantages associated with
each option so that the landowner can identify those
types of options that arc most appealing to his or her
specific needs.
Page 12 is a compatibility matrix matching
financial, technical, and educational assistance with the
programs described in the Guide. This chart can help
the direct the landowner to a program matching his or
her stewardship goals and objectives.
Pages 13-32 contain descriptions of the voluntary
Federal, State, and private, nonprofit and industrial
programs operating in Maryland for landowners with
wetlands. Having identified the goals and objectives of
the landowner through the planning process, the
landowner can look for the specific programs meeting
his or her objectives in these pages.
Finally, in the appendices, are the addresses and
phone numbers of Federal and State agencies (Appendix
1), and the National, Regional, and local land trusts in
Maryland (Appendix 2). Landowners are encouraged to
explore all options and programs within and beyond the
scope of those described in the Guide.
Compliance Requirements
In selecting voluntary options lor wetlands conservation
and management, landowners need to be aware of
f ederal, Suite, and local requirements and conditions for
use and management of wetlands. At the Federal level,
these requirements include:
(a) Section 4(>4 of the Clean Water Act, which requires
a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for
discharges of dredged or fill material into waters of
the United Slates, including most wetlands.
(h) The Food Security Act (FSA) of 1985, which
provides that landowners who receive U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) program benefits
must comply with the wetland and highly erodiblc
land requirements. Any person who plants an
agricultural commodity on a wetland that was
converted alter December 23, 19X5, or converts a
wetland after November 2X, 1990, is ineligible for
USDA program benefits. Farmers who plant
agricultural commodities on highly erodible land
must do so according to an approval conservation
plan.
At the Slate level, these requirements include:
(a)	Compliance with the SLate Nontidal Wetlands
Protection Act. A permit or other authorization is
required from ihe Maryland Department of Natural
Resources for any regulated activity in a nontidal
wetland or buffer. Regulated activities include the
alteration of vegetation, excavation, filling, changing
the existing drainage patterns, disturbance of the
water level of the water Lablc, How patterns, and
fUxxl retention characteristics.
(b)	Pond permits from DNR's Dam Safety Division for
Ponds and Waterway Construction permits for any
alteration of construction in the l(X)-ycar floodplain.
(c)	Compliance with the Critical Areas Law which
regulates all activities within UXM) feet of tidal
waters.
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Landowner Planning: Choosing Conservation and
Management Strategies
Whether wetlands occur on some or all of the property
owned by private landowners, choosing the right
combination of actions to take is crucial to the success
of any conservation or management program.
Landowners vary by lifestyle, financial needs,
conservation goals, and types of wetlands on their
property. The applicability of any one program to a
landowner will change as these different factors arc taken
into account. Before any program is begun, landowners
should examine all circumstances influencing their
decisions and identify areas of specific concern.
Defining Goals, Objectives, Problems,
and Opportunities for the Landowner
The necessary steps for determining the best options for
conserving and managing privately owned wetlands may
vary between States and conservation organizations.
There are, however, a number of background factors
central to the decision process. These factors help to
define the landowner's goals and objectives, evaluate the
property, and assess problems and opportunities. With
this information, the most suitable options for the
landowner can be identified. Factors to be considered
include:
•	Establishing the overall objectives and needs of
the landowner.
-	What is the landowner's need for cash from his/her
property and its wetlands?
-	What is the owner's ability to carry costs of
owning and managing the properly and its
wetlands?
-	What are the owner's estate planning interests?
-	What is the owner's and family's interest in living
on the property?
-	What are the owner's conservation interests,
particularly with respect to any wetlands on the
property?
-	Are there any other special needs to be considered?
•	Evaluating the general area.
-	What are the land ownership patterns and interests
of neighboring landowners
-	What are the land use trends and associated agents
of change, such as accessibility and sewage
treatment facilities?
-	What arc the current zoning and other land use
controls?
-	What arc the real estate market conditions (as
indicated by current listings and recent
comparable sales)?
-	What are the characteristics of the area's natural
landscapes and watershed, and their suitablities
for conservation and development?
•	Evaluating the specific property.
-	Docs the property have wetlands? If so, what
types of wetlands (forested wetlands, marshes,
bogs)?
-	Have the different vegetative, soil, and habitat
characteristics been identified for the wetlands on
the property?
-	Can the property be developed without damaging
the wetlands?
If wetlands might be damaged, some voluntary
conservation options should not be used. If
the property contains wedands sensitive to
human intrusion and alteration, voluntary
options allowing development, farming, or
forestry of the area may threaten these areas.
On the other hand, some well-planned
development and recreational use may be
compatible with the conservation wetlands.
•	Assessing problems and opportunities.
-	Physical considerations: What is the suitability of
the property for different uses, its current
condition, and its proximity to highways and
public facilities and services?
-	Legal limitations: Are there limitations placed
upon the property or its wetlands by existing
Federal or State regulations, deed restrictions,
and/or municipal zoning?
-	Market considerations: What is the property's
potential use based upon local real estate market
trends and the property's physical characteristics?
-	Financial considerations: What are the current and
future likely costs and income related to
maintaining the wetlands on the property with its
present uses?
Acquisition of wetlands is a priority for many land
trusts, especially in States such as Maryland where
wetlands are continually threatened by development and
pollution. Ownership of the wetland by a private land
trust may be best when the property would not be
heavily used nor require expensive regular maintenance.
Private stewardship of a wetland protected by
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conservation restrictions is ideal when the wetland will
remain in private ownership, but needs continuing legal
protection of its special features or scenic character.
Choosing Voluntary Options For
Protecting Privately Owned Wetlands:
Examples of Landowner Planning
Case Study 1: Dorchester County
A landowner in Dorchester County, Maryland, will have
approximately 6.5 acres of wetlands restored on his
property in the fall of 1992. The project site was
cropland that was ineffectively drained with shallow
ditches. Corn and soybean crops grown in the project
area suffered from the high water levels, and did not
produce yields similar to other portions of the
landowner's cropland.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will fund the
project, and the Maryland Department of Natural
Resources is coordinating with the landowner and
arranging for construction. A low bcrm will block the
effect of the drainage ditches and hold approximately 12-
18 inches of water. A water control structure will allow
gradual drawdown of water levels in the spring. During
the summer, seeds of native vegetation will germinate.
Plants will mature and set seed during the summer. In
the fall, the water level will be returned to full pool and
remain throughout the winter. Plant seeds produced
during the summer will be available to shorebirds and
waterfowl.
Upon completion of the project, the landowner will
be responsible for maintaining the bcrm and
manipulating the water levels. He will be allowed to
hunt on the site, within legal hunting seasons.
Case Study 2: Harford County
A farmer with a milking parlor had water quality
problems with the parlor and dairy water resulting from
his dairy operation. The milky water, which often
carried manure and milk solids, flowed from a pipe
outlet onto his crop fields and into a nearby crcck. To
improve the quality of the water from the milking
parlor, the farmer contacted the Soil Conservation
Service for assistance.
The Soil Conservation Service built a solid separator
over which water from the parlor would run. The
separator slows the water and allows particulates to
settle out. The water is then channeled into a broad-
based diversion swale that had previously been cropland.
A bcrm was constructed on the lower side of the swale
to trap the water and prevent it from running overland.
As a result of broadening the base of the swale and
constructing the bcrm, water sits at shallow depths
(usually about IK"), saturates the soil, and allows for
the development of wetland vegetation. The vegetation
in litis created wetland filters the waicr and improves the
water quality by taking up excess nutrients.
Case Study J: Kent Island
A landowner owns a 380-acrc larin on Kent Island. Of
the 3X0 acres, 200 acres arc wetlands. Wanting lo
preserve his wetlands and forest land from development,
llie landowner contacted the Maryland Environmental
Trust to put a conservation casement on the 200 acres
of wetlands and adjoining forests.
The properly is considered a resource conservation
area, the most environmentally sensitive critical-area
designation. In the 10 years the landowner has owned
the properly, he has installed three ponds to intercept
rainwater front llie farm and constructed buffer strips
between the wetlands and farm fields lo catch more
runoff. Nesting boxes for ducks stand on poles in one
of the ponds. The landowner also leaves some corn and
sorghum standing in a field for ducks and geese.
Under the easement, the wetlands must remain
perpetually as open space. The easement also reduces
the number of houses allowed to be built on the total
farm from 18 to 10, and prohibiting any development
within the wetlands. The landowner realizes several
benefits from placing llie easement on his property: he
can hunt deer and waterfowl on his property, he is
eligible to participate in habitat and forestry cost-share
programs, he enjoys the aesthetic value of his property,
and he is eligible for a 15-year property tax credit.
Case Study 4: Charles County
It is possible to do the right thing for the environment
and for one's enjoyment and at same time make some
money and pay less taxes. Mr. and Mrs. Tatrik own
about 100 acres. Desiring to be good stewards of the
land, the Tatricks spoke with professionals from various
Suite and local agencies and private consultants to learn
what should be done for die betterment of the woodlands
and fields they own. The landowners learned that the
best way to meet iheir needs and the needs of their
woodland was the development of a short-term 15-year
management plan. Since 95 percent of their property is
woodland and the oilier 5 percent is composed of fields,
the landowners realized that the best method of meeting
their needs was to have a licensed professional forester
develop a short term management plan.
The landowners met with the forester early one
morning in January. Over a few cups of coffee, the
landowners identified the most important part of a forest
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management plan: their objectives. Objectives can only
be determined by the landowner. If the forester docs not
fully understand or misinterprets the goals of the
landowners, the management plan will be useless.
Typical objectives usually include a combination of
wildlife habitat enhancement, aesthetics, recreation,
protection of endangered species, forest products, and
protection from fire and insect outbicaks.
The landowners wanted to be good stewards of their
property: they wanted to leave the woodland in better
condition than currently existed. They also wanted to
harvest timber without impacting a nearby eagles' nest
or forested wetlands on the property. Also of
importance, the landowners wished to learn more about
any endangered species that may occur on the property
in order to manage for the preservation of these species.
Made aware of the objectives, the licensed
professional forester conducted an inventory of the
property to determine the type, age, health and vigor,
and status of the vegetation. The forester also consulted
with wildlife habitat biologists and endangered species
biologists to determine if there were any endangered
species on the property and, if so, what to do to best
manage for these species. Wetlands and soil types were
also identified.
Once all of the groundwork was completed, the
forester met with the Tatrik's again to summarize the
results of the inventory: eagle protection areas were
delineated, wetlands were identified, tree species
composition was determined. Also, a threatened species
was found on the property. The landowners also learned
that highly credible soils were found close to the
endangered species. The landowners concurred with the
licensed professional forester that their main concern
was protection of the threatened species and eagle site.
But they also wanted to harvest timber in an
environmentally sensitive fashion to defray the cost of
taxes and to help pay for their new-born daughter's
college education in 17 years.
With clear and succinct objectives. The licensed
forester went back to her office to develop the
management plan. In short, a plan was developed for
the landowners which included a 200-foot buffer around
a threatened plant. This special management area was
not to be set aside but needed to be clear-cut.
Apparently the plant was an early succcssional species
meaning it needed full sunlight. Trees growing up
around the species needed to be removed in order that the
threatened species would obtain ample sunlight enabling
it to thrive. Within this 200 foot radius, trees would be
clear cut and the area brush logged every three years to
keep trees from growing and shading the endangered
plant. This management practice had another benefit
too. Quail habitat was being created. Quail utilize
disturbed areas.
The habitat protection zones of the eagle site were
confirmed. Upon consultation with a wildlife biologist,
the forester learned that the nest was active and that two
young eagles were reared last year. The nest needed to
be protected. A zone system was established to prevent
disturbance of the eagles. In the first zone (within 330
feet of the nest), disturbance was prohibited. The
landowners were encouraged to place a hiking trail to
view the nests. In the second zone (330 feet to 660
feet) thinning could occur to promote the health and
vigor of the woodland and reduce the risk of damaging
wildfires by constructing an eight fool wide mowed
trail. In all probability if a fire occurred on this site and
reached the fire break it wold burn itself out and not
jump the fire break. In the third zone (660 to 880 feet),
more active management could occur from mid-
December to mid-June. The forester explained that
within the third zone a 12 acre pathologically mature
Virginia pine was present. The trees were infected with
fungi which caused the trees to decay in the roots and
stem. These trees needed to be removed and the site
replanted with a more tolerant species of pine that could
be managed on a longer rotation. By doing this the site
would be disturbed less frequently.
The remainder of the woodland was divided into four
stands. Stands are management units which are based upon
soil, vegetation age, species, and site quality. Two of the
stands were composed of young hardwood stands. It was
recommended that the stands be left undisturbed for the
next fifteen years. It appeared that the trees were growing
at a good rate. However, seven trees per acre, in clusters,
should be girdled (cut with an ax completely around the
stem to restrict the flow of moisture and nutrients), thereby
killing the trees. Apparently standing dead trees would
provide habitat for cavity dwelling birds, invertebrates and
small mammals. This type of habitat was lacking on the
woodlot and would be enhanced by girdling some trees.
The third stand included the highly erodible area.
This area needed to be conserved. However, eight,
highly valuable, Paulownia trees were inventoried in this
area. These trees were being stunted. It was determined
by the forester that these trees could be harvested without
disturbing the soil. Although the trees were worth
$6,000 now, if the trees around the Paulownia were
removed, the Paulownia would grow faster and in five
years the value would double; in ten years the value
would quadruple. However, if the trees remain standing
for longer than 15 years they would begin to decay and
in 20 years the Paulownia trees would decay to a point
rendering them worthless.
5

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The fourth stand was composed of overstocked yellow
poplar trees. These trees were competing for existing
nutrients, moisture and sunlight. Because of this
competition, tree growth was severely limited. The
forester recommended thinning out the poorly formed and
economically undesirable trees to increase the growth
rate. By removing 30 percent of the trees in the stand,
the forester estimated that the rate of growth would
increase substantially. In terms of financial return the
trees were currently growing at a 4 percent rate of return.
If the stand was thinned, the growth rale could be
improved to a point where the rale of return was 13
percent. In addition, the trees would be maturing in 15
to 20 years at which time they could be harvested to help
pay for their daughter's education. In addition, yellow
poplar regenerates naturally following a clear cut.
Planting would not be necessary to replace Ihc forest.
Even though a portion of this stand was in a wetland the
harvesting could occur. In the forester's judgment,
harvesting trees in die wetland would nol have a negative
impact on the wetland.
The plan was presented to the Tatrik's. Specific
questions as to how to achieve the recommendations
were addressed by the forester. The landowners felt that
the plan would enable them to meet their objectives and,
in particular, enable them to enhance the vigor and
quality of their woodland. In addition, they now had
goals for their property. The landowners could strive to
leave their woodland in better condition than it was in
currently.
6

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The Decision Tree: Choosing the Best Option
or Options for the Landowner
With a firm understanding of the landowner's objectives,
properly, and potential problems and opportunities (as
identified by responses to the above questions, it is
possible proceed towards choosing the option or options
best suited for the landowner. A simple, frequently used
approach for choosing the best option or options for a
landowner is found in the decision tree below. The
foremost questions to ask in choosing the best option or
options are (1) docs the landowner want to do something
with the wetlands on higher land, (2) docs the landowner
wish to retain ownership of the land, and (3) does the
landowner wish to manage the property exclusively?
Docs the landowner wish to continue owning the wetlands?
Yes
Does the landowner wish to manage the
property exclusively?
No
Docs the landowner wish compensation
for selling property?
Yes
No
Yes
No
Management agreements
Technical assistance
Limited development
options
Conservation easements
Leases
Mutual covenants
Limited development
options
Transfer of development
rights
Sale:
•	Full market value
•	Bargain sale
•	Installment sale
¦ Right of first refusal

Donation:
•	Outright donation
•	Donation by devise
•	Donation with reserved
life estate




Does the landowner wish to voluntarily
restrict future use of the property when the
title is transferred?
Yes
No
Normal transfer of
title
Conservation easements
(prior to transfer)

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General Landowner Options
Table 1-—If the landowner wishes to retain ownership and guide future use of the property.
Options
Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Conservation Easements
A perpetual legal agreement between a
private property owner and a qualified
conservation organization to
voluntarily place restrictions on the
type and amount of development that
may take place on a piece of property
and to protect significant natural
features, including wildlife or wildlife
habitat.
•	If perpetual, easements provide Federal income,
estate, and gift tax benefits;
•	allows the property owner to retain ownership of the
wetland while potentially receiving income, estate,
and property tax reductions;
•	easement restrictions are flexible within certain
guidelines and can be adapted to fit the needs of the
landowner; and
•	easements may provide permanent protection for the
wetland.
•	Usually involves giving up
some rights relating to the
use of property;
•	easements may or may not
be perpetual; and
•	the landowner is
responsible for
maintenance and other
costs of the land.
Leases
Agreements for the rental of land by a
landowner to a conservation
organization or agency for a specified
period of time.
•	The landowner receives payment on a monthly basis
for the leased property;
•	leases provide an alternative if landowners do not
wish to transfer their land to a conservation agency
or organization but want to see it used or protected by
such a group for a period of years;
•	certain restrictions can be incorporated into the lease
to guide the activities of the conservation agency on
the land, including provisions to terminate the lease
if the conservation agency does not use the property
as directed; and
•	the impact of the lease on the value of the land may
be taken into account when estate taxes are
calculated.
Unless restrictions are made
by the landowner, leases
generally allow unrestricted
and exclusive control of the
land by the agency leasing
the property.
Management Agreements
An agreement between the landowner
and a conservation agency whereby
either the landowner or conservation
agency agrees to manage his/her
property in a certain manner consistent
with the goals of the conservation
agency and the landowner.
•	Direct payments and other types of cost-share
assistance may be available to the landowner;
•	management of a property involves creating a
landowner management plan based on one's needs;
•	the organization that helps develop the plan often
provides management assistance and monitors
compliance; and
•	ordinarily it is easier to terminate than a lease and
does not involve exclusive possession of property.
Management agreements are
not permanent.

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Options
Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Mutual Covenants
Mutual covenants involve agreements
between nearby or adjacent landowners
to control the future use of their land
through restrictions agreed upon by all
participating landowners.
•	Mutual covenants are permanent and can be
enforced by any of the landowners or future
landowners of the involved properties;
•	there is significant incentive to comply with the
restrictions knowing the landowner's neighbors
are aware of what can and cannot be done on their
property; and
•	mutual covenants can reduce property taxes.
The loss in market value from mutual
covenants cannot be claimed as a
charitable deduction on income tax
returns.
Restoration
Involves the active rehabilitation of a
degraded wetland to recover its natural
attributes, functions, and values.
•	Technical and financial assistance is available for
restoration projects; and
•	landowner can realize economic gains from the
TecTeational and commodity benefits of (restored)
wetlands.
•	Can be expensive; and
•	restoration success varies with the
extent of hydrologic damage.
Limited
Development
Strategies
Involves the sensitive development of
the least environmentally significant
portions of the property in order to
finance conservation of the remaining
property and meet landowner economic
needs and goals.
•	Limited development strategies may allow enough
funds to be raised to protect the remaining
significant environmental areas, especially where
land values are high;
•	a combination of limited development strategies
combined with conservation techniques may
achieve the landowner's financial needs; and
•	tax advantages may be realized from recording an
easement over the undeveloped part of the land.
•	Limiting development of the land
entails foregoing some of its potential
profitability; and
•	it may be difficult to determine which
areas of the property are the least
environmentally active.
Transferable
Development
Rights (TDRs)
A method of relocating potential
development from an area where the
local government wishes to limit
development to an area where it is
willing to see increased development;
local government enacts TDR structure
through local zoning ot other land use
ordinance or regulation; the landowner
is allowed to sell development "credits"
to a purchaser in an area where the local
government is prepared to allow
development at increased densities.
•	The transfer protects wetlands and other
ecologically significant features of the land
without curtailing development in the area;
•	TDRs allow land to remain in the private sector
while avoiding undesirable development;
•	TDRs do not require the expenditure of public
funds for acquisition, but have same effect; and
•	TDRs may result in a reduced property tax
assessment of the "donor" land after transfer of
the development credit.
•	Use is limited to States and counties
with enabling legislation;
•	complicated standards for the
allocation, purchase, and sale of
development rights must be
established to provide a legally
defensible system;
•	planning and administrative costs are
high; and
•	it is difficult to accurately apportion
development credits among
landowners.

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Table 2.—If the landowner wishes to transfer the title with compensation
Option
Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Sale options
There are four sales options that can
be applied to wetlands:
1.	Sale at fair market value—the
landowner receives full market value
for the land.
2.	Bargain sale—the landowner agrees
to sell the land to a conservation
organization at a price below full
market value; the difference between
the full market price and the selling
price becomes a donation.
3.	Installment sale—outright sale of a
piece of property by a landowner
where all or part of the consideration
is deferred and paid in successive
years.
4.	Right of first refusal—binds a
landowner to giving a conservation
agency the option to match the
purchase offer and acquire the land if
the owner is approached by another
buyer.
•	Sale at full market value allows the
landowner to receive full value for
land;
•	bargain sale may make the
landowner eligible for a charitable
tax deduction and reduces the capital
gains tax;
•	installment sale defers actual
payment of tax on the capital gain
until the purchase money with
which to pay the tax is actually in
hand;and
•	right to first refusal gives a
conservation organization extra time
to acquire the funds necessary for
purchasing the land.
•	Most conservation groups have a
very limited budget and cannot afford
the full market value for wetlands;
•	if the land value has appreciated
since it was bought, the landowner
will be liable for income tax on the
capital gain; and
•	government agencies may have the
funds but they apply selective
criteria to their purchases.

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Table 3.—If the landowner wishes to transfer the title without compensation
Option
Description
Advantages
Disadvantages
Donation of land
There are three types of land donations:
1.	Outright donation—Grants full title
and ownership to the conservation
organization, community, or
government agency receiving the
donated property.
2.	Donation by deathtime transfer—
Donation of land through a will.
3.	Donation with reserved life estate—
Donation of land with retention of
rights by the landowner to use all or part
of the donated land during his/her
lifetime and the lifetimes of designated
family members.
•	Donation is an excellent way to
provide total protection for wetlands
and ensure the wetlands will be
maintained and enchanced;
•	landowners can receive income tax
deductions and possibly estate, gift,
and property tax breaks;
•	grants communities and conservation
organizations vital wetland areas they
might not have been able to purchase;
•	outright donation is simple, eliminates
most negotiations, and can be
conducted quickly;
•	donation by deathtime transfer allows
the landowner to retain full use and
control over his or her land while alive
and to ensure the land's protection
after the owner is deceased;
•	donation by deathtime transfer reduces
estate taxes and may benefit heirs with
reduced inheritance taxes;
•	donation with reserved life estate
allows the landowner to continue to
live on and use the property during
their lifetime while also securing the
land's future protection; and
•	donation with reserved life estate
allows designation for family members
or other persons only, without any
reservations by the landowner.
•	The landowner loses potential income
from the sale of the land;
•	maintenance and other associated costs
taken on by the organization or
agency receiving the property may be
more costly than easements to the
agency or group;
•	there is no income tax deduction for a
donation by deathtime transfer;
•	the landowner is responsible for
property taxes for as long as he or she
remains in possession of the land;
•	tax relief from a donation with reserved
life estate generally applies to
personal residence or farm—wetlands
may not necessarily qualify; and
•	there may not be a guarantee of
perpetual preservation unless legally
enforceable controls are imposed in
the grant.
If the landowner wishes to guide future use of the property through transfer of the property, he/she should consider donating a conservation easement for the property to
another organization before transferring the property in fee through a normal transfer (i.e., sale ot donation).
If the landowner does not wish to restrict future use of the property, he/she can transfer the property through a normal transfer.

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Sources of Assistance
Programs and Land Characteristics: A
Quick Reference Guide
The following matrix lists Lhe programs explained in this
book and the land characteristics that arc applicable to
each program. This matrix may be used as a general
quick reference guide. Boxes with bullets indicate which
land characteristics is applicable to each. Below arc listed
the acronyms used in the matrix.
•	CRP, Conservation Reserve Program
•	WRP, Wetlands Reserve Program
•	ACP, Agricultural Conservation Program
•	MACS, Maryland Agricultural Water Quality
Cost-Share Program
•	WQ1P, Water Quality Incentive Program
•	NAWMP, North American Waterfowl
Management Plan Joint Venture Projects
« NAWCA, North American Wetlands
Conservation Act
•	FIP, Forestry Incentives Program
•	FSP, Forestry Stewardship Program
•	SIP, Stewardship Incentives Program
•	FmHA, Farmers Home Administration
•	BIP, Buffer Incentives Program
•	SHA, Stale Highway Administration
•	AFP, American Farmland Trust
Program name
CRP
WRI»
Wetlands
•
Prior
converted
wetlands
•
•
Farmed
wetlands
HKL*
filterstrips
«
HKL**
critical
areas
•
Delamrva
bays
•
•
*
Woodland
•
ACP
MACS
WQIP
Private Lands Assistance and
Restoration Program
NAWMP
NAWCA
•
•
•
•
•
«
«
«
•
•
•
•
•
*
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
IIP
1-SP
SIP
•
•
*
•
•
•
•
•
•
«
•
•
•
•
1'milA—Wetlands Related
•
•
•



•
Maryland Nen-sinjctural
Shore Frosion Control Act
•
•
•



•
Maryland Waterfowl
Restoration Program
HIP
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Maryland Grcenways Program
Program Open Space
SUA Mitigation Option
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
9
•
•
Private Lands Program
Nature Area Registeries
Farm Leeacy Program (AM)
*
*
•
•
•
•
•

•
•
•
*
•
Chcaspcakc Care Program
Maryland Environmental
Trust Conservation Easement
•
•
¦
•
•
*
•
¦


* HEL—Highly Erodiblc Land	.
** HEL Critical Areas—refers to any land with steep slope and has a signilicant erosion problem.
12

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Landowner Program Descriptions:
Federal Programs
Agricultural Conservation Program
Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service
Maryland State ASCS Office (Appendix 1)
Description—The Agricultural Conservation Program
(ACP) encourages voluntary compliance with Federal
and Suite requirements for solving point and nonpoini
source pollution on farms and ranches. ACP provides
cost-sharc funds for approved practices providing long
term and community-wide benefits. These practices
include establishing permanent vegetative cover, erosion
control, wildlife enhancement, and developing new or
restoring existing shallow water areas. ACP is
administered by Agricultural Stabilization and
Conservation Service (ASCS) State and county offices
with technical assistance and program guidance provided
by the U.S. Forest Service and State forestry agencies,
the Soil Conservation Service (SCS), and the
Cooperative Extension Service.
How the Program Works—ACP agreements can be
for one year or more. When entering an agreement, the
farmer pays the total cost of establishing the approved
conservation practices and is then reimbursed for the
government's share of the cost, which may range up to
75 percent of total costs for annual agreements. The
maximum cost-sharc limitations for annual conservation
management plans is S3,500 per year.
Long-term agreements require the development of a
conservation plan by the SCS and approval of the plan
by the Soil and Water Conservation District and the
ASCS county office. Lump sum payments in excess of
$3,500 may be authorized for a long term agreement
under certain conditions. Farmers and ranchers may enter
into pooling agreements to jointly solve mutual
conservation problems.
Regional Use—National.
Eligibility—The practices approved for cost-sharing
must result in long term and community-wide benefits.
The practices should also be those that the farmer or
rancher would not, or could not, undertake without
financial and technical assistance. Conservation
applications must be approved by the ASCS County
Committee, which is made up of elected county
producers. The producer making an application must
own between 10 and 1000 acres to be eligible. Contact
the nearest County ASCS Office for more details on a
particular program.
Conservation Reserve Program
Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service
Maryland Slate ASCS Office (Appendix 1)
Description—The Conservation Reserve Program
(CRP), introduced in the Food Security Act of 1985, and
amended by the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and
Trade Act of 1990, encourages farmers to enroll highly
erodible cropland and/or land contributing to a serious
water quality problem into the reserve for 10-15 years. In
return, farmers receive annual rental payments for the
land, cost-sharing, and technical assistance to plant
vegetation for conservation. Major goals of CRP include
reducing soil erosion and sedimentation, improving
water quality, maintaining fish and wildlife habitat, and
providing support income to farmers. The CRP is
administered by the Agricultural Stabilization and
Conservation Service (ASCS) in cooperation with the
Soil Conservation Service (SCS), Cooperative
Extension Service, State forestry agencies, and local soil
and water conservation districts.
How the Program Works—Farmers can bid to enroll
their highly erodible land and land in a special emphasis
watershed in the CRP program during specified sign-up
periods at their local county ASCS office. The bids state
the annual rental payment per acre the farmer would be
willing to accept for converting their eligible cropland to
permanent vegetative cover. Conservation plans
describing the conservation measures and maintenance
requirements to be carried out by the owner or operator
during the contract term must also be submitted and
agreed upon by the participant and the district
conservationist.
The standard reserve contract is 10 years, but ASCS
also accepts easement contracts of 15 or 30 years for
special conservation cover applications. Annual rental
payments may not exceed $50,000 per person per year
and cannot be higher than local rental rates for
comparable land. Rental payments are not counted
against payment limitations applicable to commodity
price support and production adjustment programs. CRP
13

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also includes cost-share incentives. CRP participants can
receive up to 50 percent cost-share from ASCS for
establishing vegetative cover and may also receive up to
50 percent cost-share for establishing water quality and
conservation measures. Once the land has been accepted
into the reserve program, the land cannot be farmed
during the term of the contract.
Regional Use—National.
Eligibility—CRP eligibility is limited to highly
erodiblc land and land that is contributing to a serious
water quality problem, and/or prior converted wetlands
(wetlands farmed prior to December 23, 1985). Other
requirements apply. Contact the County ASCS Office
near you for more detailed information.
Water Quality Incentives Program
Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service
Maryland State ASCS Office (Appendix 1)
Description—The Water Quality Incentives Program
(WQIP) is a voluntary incentive program designed to
protect water sources on farmlands through 3-5 year
agreements with the Agricultural Stabilization and
Conservation Service (ASCS). These agreements require
the development and implementation of a water quality
management program that provides water quality benefits
and that may provide additional wetlands protection and
wildlife benefits.
How the Program Works—ASCS provides technical
assistance, cost-sharing assistance, annual incentive
payments, and information, education and training for
development and implementation of WQIP programs.
Participants agree to implement the program and
accurately report on wastes and chemical uses on the
enrolled acreage. Crop production can continue on the
enrolled acreage.
The WQIP is a new program that is not yet fully in
effect. Current funding for WQIP comes from the
Agricultural Conservation Program (ACP). Funds are
used to develop and run water quality incentive programs
practiced in a manner consistent with WQIP. The WQIP
programs established with the ACP funds are labeled as
Water Quality Demonstration/Special Projects.
Regional Use—In 1992, WQIP was limited to
Demonstration/Special Project Areas. In 1993, WQIP
will be available in other watersheds.
Eligibility—For land to be considered a candidate for the
WQIP, the land must lie within a project area. These
project area plans arc developed at the county level and
sent to agency Headquarters for acceptance.
Wetlands Reserve Program
Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service
Maryland State ASCS Office (Appendix 1)
Description—The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP)
was authorized by the Food Security Act of 1985 and
amended by the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and
Trade Act of 1990. WRP is a voluntary program
exclusively applicable to wetlands offering landowners a
chance to receive payments for restoring and protecting
wetlands on their property. Under WRP, Agricultural
Stabilization and Conservation (ASCS) staff work with
participating farmland owners to secure conservation
easements and provide cost-sharing assistance for
wetlands restoration. The standard easement agreement
under the WRP is permanent unless otherwise notified
by ASCS. WRP is currently a pilot program operating
in nine other States (see Eligibility), but may be
available in Maryland in 1993.
How the Program Works—Farmers wanting to
participate in the WRP must apply to the program
through their county ASCS office during specified sign-
up periods. Within 90 days of applying, the farmer
submits an approved plan for the wetland reserve,
developed in conjunction with the Soil Conservation
Service (SCS) and the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS),
describing intentions and objectives for restoration,
landowner requirements, and other details. Selection of
eligible land is based on the ecological value of the land,
with preference given to the most valuable lands.
Priority consideration is also given for perpetual
easements.
Total easement payments may not exceed the average
fair market value of the same type of agricultural land in
the county or parish. Farmers participating in WRP
receive 10 equal annual payments or one lump sum
when restoration is complete. Except for permanent
easements, compensation in any year may not exceed
$50,000 per person. Technical assistance and up to 75
percent cost-share assistance is also available. There is
no prohibition against using the land after being placed
under easement, provided the economic use of the land
docs not diminish or degrade the wetland values of the
land.
14

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Regional Use—WRP is currently available in nine
pilot Slates: California, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri,
Mississippi, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, and
Wisconsin.
Eligibility—Lands eligible for WRP include restorablc
farmed wetlands, prior-converted cropland (wetlands
farmed prior io December 23, 1985), adjacent
functionally related uplands, and riparian areas that link,
wetlands. Participants in WRP must agree to long term
easements on the enrolled land. Lands eligible for WRP
must have been cropped for al least one of the 1986-
1990 crop years.
than 33 percent. The value of the reduction is based on
the average per acre value of the farm as determined by
an appraisal of the entire property. Agreements for debt
reduction through wetland casements for non-fmandaliy
distressed farmers can be made when the loan is granted
or any time thereafter.
Regional Use—National.
Eligibility—To be eligible for FmHA debt reduction
easements, the farmer must have borrowed from the
FmHA. Debt reduction easements will not apply to
debts with other lending institutions.
Farmers Home Administration
Wetlands-Related Programs
Farmers Home Administration Maryland/Delaware
State Office (Appendix 3)
Description—The Farmers Home Administration
(FmHA) allows for reduction of borrower debt in
exchange for granting conservation casements on
wetlands for a period of not less than 50 years. Wetlands
placed in easements by farmers for FmHA debt reduction
may be managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
and State game and fish agencies.
How the Program Works—FmHA distinguishes
between two types of borrowers for the administration's
debt reduction program: those delinquent, and those
borrowers who are current.
For Type 1 borrowers, farmers who are delinquent,
the FmHA debt reduction program allows the farmer to
have their debt readjusted in exchange for placing
wetlands on their properly in a permanent conservation
easement. Upon request of debt reduction from a
delinquent FmHA borrower, the FmHA will appraise the
property* identify the wetlands on the property, and
consider reducing the debt based on the average per acre
value of the farm. If the adjustment creates a positive
cash flow and will pull the fanner from default, the
FmHA will buy the easement and reduce the farmer's
loan debt by the value of the wetland acres. If the
reduction will not produce a positive cash flow, the
FmHA cannot purchase the easement.
For farmers who are not delinquent (Type 2
borrowers), the FmHA can reduce a farmer's debt in
exchange for placing an casement on his wetlands
provided the reduction does not reduce the debt by more
North American Wetlands
Conservation Act
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service NAWMP Atlantic
Coast Joint Venture Coordinator (Appendix 1)
and U.S. FWS Chesapeake Bay Field Office
(Appendix 1)
Description—The North American Wetlands
Conservation Act (NAWCA), established in 1989,
encourages partnerships among public agencies and other
interests to: 1) protect, enhance, restore, and manage
wetland ecosystems and other habitats for migratory
birds, fish, and wildlife in North America; 2) maintain
current or improved distribution of migratory bird
populations; and 3) sustain an abundance of waterfowl
and other migratory birds consistent with the goals of
the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and
international treaty obligations.
The Act provides funding for wetlands conservation
projects involving acquisition, restoration, and/or
enhancement. Funding is approved by the Migratory Bird
Conservation Commission (MBCC) based on
recommendations from the North American Wetlands
Conservation Council (Council). The Fish and Wildlife
Service (FWS) coordinates with the Council on the
NAWCA and can provide assistance to landowners to
develop proposals for submission to the Council and
MBCC.
How the Program Works—Proposals may be
submitted by any group or individual by April 1 and
August 1 for funding available October I. A proposal
must describe how the proposed work fits into a larger
project (if applicable); the need for the proposal; where
the work is to be done; the affect of the proposal on
animals, plants and wetland functions; how much the
15

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proposal will cost; and partner commitments and
responsibilities. A grant application instruction booklet
outlining the above information in more detail is
available through your FWS Regional Off ice or the
North American "Wetlands Conservation Council
(Appendix 1).
NAWCA grants require a minimum one-to-one grant
match from any non-Fcdcral source, such as a State,
non-profit groups, or the landowner. Annual payments
for leases or easements require a minimum 10-year
agreement and demonstration projects require a minimum
5-year agreement. Areas of special concern, such as the
Chesapeake, and larger areas are usually given priority in
grant consideration.
Regional Use—National.
Eligibility—Projects involving acquisition, restoration,
enhancement, creation, management, and other activities
that conserve wetland ecosystems and the fish and
wildlife that depend on such habitats are eligible for Act
or matching partner funds.
North American Waterfowl
Management Plan Joint Venture
Projects
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service NAWMP Atlantic
Coast Joint Venture Coordinator (Appendix 1)
and U.S. FWS Chesapeake Bay Field Office
(Appendix 1)
Description—The North American Waterfowl
Management Plan (NAWMP) is an agreement signed in
1986 between the United Stales and Canada to protect,
restore, and enhance wetlands important to waterfowl and
other wetland-dependent species. The NAWMP sets out
objectives for returning waterfowl populations to levels
observed in the 1970s. The plan is implemented at the
grassroots level by unique partnerships called joint
ventures. Wetlands identified under NAWMP as "areas of
major concern" for waterfowl habitat benefit from these
joint ventures. Mexico is expected to sign-on to the
NAWMP by 1995.
How the Program Works—The U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (FWS) coordinates joint ventures with
Federal, State, and private agencies, and private
individuals thai cooperate and pool resources together to
achieve objectives of the plan. Private landowners of
wetlands significant to waterfowl may receive technical
and financial assistance through the variety of
cooperative programs undertaken within their geographic
area. The Plan also entails research on wetlands
restoration and the effects of contaminants on wetlands,
wetlands status surveys, and wetlands inventories.
Landowners interested in learning about the joint venture
NAWMP projects in their area should contact the joint
venture coordinator in their area.
Regional Use—There arc currently ten joint ventures
underway in the United States, and three more in the
planning stages. Principal areas targeted by the plan are
the Atlantic Coast from Maine to South Carolina
(including Maryland); the Lower Mississippi River
region; the Upper Mississippi River-Great Lakes region;
the Gulf Coast; the playa lakes of Texas, New Mexico,
Oklahoma, Kansas, and Colorado; California's Central
Valley; the Pacific Coast; the Rainwater Basin; the
prairie pothole regions of Minnesota, North Dakota,
South Dakota, and Iowa; and the lower Great Lakes-St.
Lawrence River basin. Future joint ventures arc planned
for the Intermountain West, the Northern Great Plains,
and Alaska.
Eligibility—Any landowner (Federal, State, group, or
individual) of property with significant importance to
waterfowl and other wetland-dependent species.
Private Lands Assistance and
Restoration Program (Partners For
Wildlife)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Chesapeake Bay Field
Office (Appendix 1)
Description—The Private Lands Assistance and
Restoration Program, also known as Partners for
Wildlife, offers technical and financial assistance to
landowners who wish to restore degraded or converted
wetlands and those upland habitats that meet specific
eligibility criteria. The program focuses on re-
establishment of original natural communities. Special
consideration is given to projects that: (a) contribute to
the survival of endangered, threatened, or candidate
species, or migratory birds of management concern; (b)
contribute to ihe North American Waterfowl
Management Plan; (c) are located very close to existing
habitat so thai fragmentation of habitats would be
reduced and rccolonization by a full component of native
plants and animals could easily occur; (d) contribute to
the restoration of globally or nationally imperiled natural
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communities; (c) will result in a self-sustaining system
that is not dependent on artificial structures; or (f) will
use native self-propagating species. Agricultural uses
that involve plowing or other disturbance of the soil are
not permitted except in exceptional circumstances.
How the Program Works—The assistance that Fish
and Wildlife Service offers to landowners may take the
form of informal advice on the design and location of
potential restoration projects, or it may consist of
designing and funding restoration projects under a formal
cooperative agreement with the landowner. Restoration
efforts may include, but arc not limited to, plugging
drainage ditches, installation of water control structures,
dike construction, and planting trees in formerly forested
wetlands.
If other considerations arc roughly equal, cooperative
agreements that arc longer in duration arc preferable to
those of shorter duration. In no case, however, may
cooperative agreements be less than 10 years in duration.
Cost-sharing may improve chances that the project will
be funded, but it is not required. A restoration project
that involves more than 510,000 of FWS funding for the
initial restoration work must be justified in terms of
biological significance of the work and (a) non-Federal
cost-sharing of at least 50 percent or (b) a very large
acreage is proposed for restoration.
Regional Use—National.
Eligibility—Subject to priority and preference factors
suited above, any wetland is eligible for restoration with
technical and financial assistance by the Service. Upland
habitats arc eligible for financial assistance only if their
restoration will contribute to certain program goals.
Contact the Chesapeake Bay Field Office for further
information.
Forestry Incentives Program
U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Agriculutrual Stabilization
and Conservation Service, Maryland Department of
Natural Resources Forestry Division
products from private non-industrial forest lands and
preserve and improve the environment. FIP is jointly
administered by ASCS and the Forest Service in
cooperation with State forestry agencies.
How the Program Works—Landowners apply for
participation in the program at the county ASCS office.
Upon request from ASCS, the State forestry agency
examines the property, develops the Forest Management
Plan, and certifies the need for the practice. The State
forestry agency will also provide technical advice and
help locate approved vendors for getting the work
accomplished.
Eligible FIP practices arc divided into four forestry
practice areas: tree planting (FP1), improving a stand of
forest trees (FP2), site preparation for natural
regeneration of trees (FP3), special forestry practices
(FP4). All FIP practices require a minimum 10-year
maintenance agreement from the landowner.
The Slate forestry agency must certify that the work
has been completed in accordance with the approved plan
before payment is made to the landowner by the county
ASCS office. Cost-share assistance cannot exceed 65
percent of the actual, average, or estimated cost of
performing the practice. The maximum cost-share that a
participant can earn annually for forestry practices under
FIP is $10,000. In some States, assistance is available
under long-term agreements of three to ten years.
Regional Use—National. Within Maryland, counties
that presently have the FIP program are: Anne Arundel,
Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Garrett,
Kent, Prince George's, Queen Anne's, St. Mary's,
Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester.
Eligibility—FIP is limited to landowners of 10 to
1,000 acres. Exceptions to the acreage limitation may be
obtained for up to 5,000 acres. FIP is offered only in
designated counties where a suitable number of
ownerships capable of producing at least 50 cubic feet of
timber per year each exist. Ornamental, Christmas tree
production, and orchard tree plantings are not eligible for
FIP funding.
Description—The Forestry Incentives Program (FIP) is
the major USDA forestry program applicable to wetlands
preservation and restoration of wooded swamps. FIP
provides technical and cost-share assistance to
landowners participating in any one of the four national
forestry practices eligible under FIP. The overall goal
with FIP is to increase the Nation's supply of timber
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Forest Stewardship Program /
Stewardship Incentive Program
U.S. Forest Service, Maryland Department of Natural
Resources Forestry Division (Appendix 1)
Description—The Forest Stewardship Program (FSP)
and Stewardship Incentive Program (SIP) were
established through the Food, Agriculture, Conservation
and Trade Actofl990 (FACTA) to help landowners
protect and enhance their forest lands and associated
wetlands. FSP provides technical assistance to help
landowners enhance and protect the timber, fish and
wildlife habitat, water quality, wetlands, and recreational
and aesthetic values of their property. SIP provides cost-
share assistance to private landowners for implementing
the management plans developed under the FSP. The
guidelines for SIP define eight major categories for
funding: Management Plan Development, Reforestation
and Afforestation, Forest and Agroforest Improvement,
Windbreak and Hedgegrow Establishment, Riparian and
Wetlands Protection and Improvement, Fisheries Habitat
Enhancement, Wildlife Enhancement, and Forest
Recreation Enhancement.
FSP and SIP arc administered by the State Forester
for each State in cooperation with the Forest Service.
The Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service
(ASCS) provides administrative assistance. Technical
responsibilities for SIP practices may be assigned to
various other agencies and resource professionals.
How the Program Works—Forest Service staff work
with private landowners lo develop a multi-use Forest
Stewardship Resource Conservation Plan specifically for
their forested properties. These plans outline a course of
action that will enhance forest products, wildlife, soil
and water quality, recreation, aesthetics, and
environmental quality. Existing management plans can
be modified to meet Forest Stewardship Plan guidelines.
Once a forest management plan has been developed and
approved, up to 65 percent cost-share is provided through
SIP to fund the plan's projects. Payments to the
landowner may not exceed $10,000 per landowner per
fiscal year. Significant accomplishments are recognized
by designating the landowner "Forest Steward," which
gives public recognition to the landowner.
Regional Use—National; every county in Maryland
qualifies for both FSP and SIP.
Eligibility—Eligible landowners must have an approved
Forest Stewardship Plan and own 1,000 acres or less of
qualifying land. Authorizations may be obtained for
exceptions of up to 5,000 acres. Landowners must
mainiain and protect SIP funded practices for a minimum
of 10 years.
Soil Conservation Service
Technical Assistance
Maryland State SCS Office
(Appendix 1)
Description—The Soil Conservation Service (SCS) is
the technical arm of US DA. Technical assistance and
information is available for:
•	Making wetlands determinations for wetland protection
and management programs;
•	developing conservation plans for protecting and
managing wetlands;
•	providing income-producing alternatives for use and
management of wetlands;
•	developing standards and specifications and designing
and installing conservation measures, including wetland
restoration, creation, and enhancement;
•	providing information on plant materials for wetland
planting; and,
•	providing soil surveys and information for identifying,
planning, and managing wetlands.
How the Program Works—Land users request
technical assistance through local soil and water
conservation districts. Technical assistance and
information is provided according to local priorities and
available resources.
Regional Use—Services are available in all counties of
the United States and its territories.
Eligibility—Land users who sign agreements with local
soil and water conservation districts can receive services
for managing, using, enhancing, creating, and restoring
wetlands. They must comply with the conservation
provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985.
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Soil Conservation Service
Financial Assistance
Maryland State SCS Oflicc
(Appendix 1)
Description—SCS provides financial and technical
assistance through the Watershed Protection and Flood
Prevention Program (PL-566), the Resource
Conservation and Development Program (RC&D), the
Great Plains Conservation Program (GPCP), and river
basins studies and investigations.
Under the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention
Act of 1954, SCS assists local communities in
developing watershed protection and improving fish and
wildlife resources. Both technical and cost-sharing
assistance are available.
RC&D encourages resource development and
environmental protection in authorized areas.
GPCP was authorized by Congress in 1956 primarily
to protect the drought-prone Great Plains against wind
erosion. Assistance for water quality, wetland
protection, and wildlife developments can be provided.
Public Law 83-566 provides broad authority for USDA
to cooperate in river basin planning, surveys, and
investigations. Studies arc conducted on flood plain
management, water quality, wetland protection, and
water conservation.
How the Program Works—Under PL-566, SCS
assists State, local, and qualified non-profit organizations
with planning and installing water control and
conservation measures. Technical assistance plus the
cost of construction for flood prevention and cost sharing
for other purposes is available. Requests are made
through local soil and water conservation districts,
SCS assists local sponsors in planning and carrying
out RC&D measures. Projects may include wetland
protection, flood plain management, and wildlife
developments. Services arc limited to authorized areas.
The Great Plains Conservation Program serves 519
counties in Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New
Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota,
Texas, and Wyoming. Technical and cost-sharing
assistance can be provided for soil and water conservation
and natural resource management.
River basin studies and investigations arc conducted at
the request of cooperating Federal and State agencies to
identify water and land resource problems.
Regional Use—National.
Eligibility—All of the above SCS programs are
available to all areas, except RC&D, which is limited to
authorized RC&D project areas and GPCP, which is
limited to 519 counties. Persons receiving USDA
benefits must comply with the conservation provisions
of the Food Security Act of 1985.
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Landowner Program Descriptions:
Maryland State Programs
Maryland Agricultural Water
Quality Cost-Share Program
Maryland Department of Agriculture Office of
Resource Conservation (Appendix ])
Description—The Maryland Agricultural Water Quality
Cost-Share Program (MACS), created in 1983, provides
up to 87.5 percent cost-share assistance to farmers who
install agricultural best management practices (BMPs) to
solve water quality problems. MACS projects arc
targeted towards surface waters and underground water
sources where agricultural nonpoint source pollution is a
significant threat. Wetlands and estuarinc systems benefit
from the improved water quality produced through
MACS projects near the wetland itself or within the
same watershed. Accepted BMPs include filLer strips,
grassed waterways, runoff control ponds, critical area
plantings, strip-cropping, waste storage structures,
terracing, diversions, spring development, contour
farming, and grade stabilization structures. MACS is
administered by the Maryland Department of Agriculture
(MDA) in cooperation with the Maryland Deparunent of
the Environment (MDE), and Soil Conservation
Districts (SCD).
How the Program Works—Applications for MACS
arc submitted by the farmer to the local Soil
Conservation District. SCD concurrence is required for
each application. SCD staff arc responsible for providing
technical assistance to MACS applicants, developing
BMP plans, and helping to implement BMPs. The
applicant has one year to complete installation of the
project and must maintain the project for 5-15 years,
depending on the specific BMP chosen. SCD must
certify that the project was completed consistent with
Soil Conservation Service standards before the landowner
is compensated. Payment is issued through the
Department of the Environment in most cases.
Farmers participating in MACS can receive up to 87.5
percent of the cost of installing BMPs to correct or
minimize water quality problems. The only BMP not
eligible for 87.5 percent cost-share assistance is the
sediment pond, which is eligible for a maximum 65
percent cost-share because of other benefits provided by
the pond (such as storage of irrigation water and fish
production). Maximum cost-share assistance cannot
exceed $10,000 per project (except $35,000 for animal
waste storage BMPs) and $35,000 per farm ($50,000 for
"animal waste" farms).
Regional Use—Maryland.
Kligibility—A project is eligible if it solves an actual
water pollution problem resulting from agricultural
activity. Priority is given to problem sites located
wiLhin 1000 feet of .surface waters as well as projects in
certain "priority watersheds" as named by the MDA.
Specific eligibility criteria arc established by the MACS
program for each BMP type.
Maryland Buffer Incentives
Program
Maryland Deparunent of Natural Resources Forestry
Division (Appendix 1)
Description—The Buffer Incentives Program (BIP)
encourages the planting and maintenance of forested
buffers around the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries as u
means of reducing nutrient loading into the Bay. Other
positive side effects to establishing forested buffer strips
include reducing bank erosion, promoting the
development of wetlands, and creating wildlife habitat.
BIP provides technical and financial assistance to private
landowners to help defray the costs of establishing and
maintaining the buffers in exchange for a minimum 10-
year agreement from the landowner to maintain the
practice, BIP is administered by the Forestry Division of
the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
How the Program Works—Before a BIP planting and
maintenance plan can be developed for a landowner, the
landowner's property will be inspected by the county
DNR forester to determine eligibility. For properties
meeting BIP eligibility requirements, the forester will
write-up a planting and maintenance plan designed to
incorporate the objectives of both the landowner and
DNR. The plan includes a map for site preparation,
methods of plantings, spacing, species, weed control,
and other measures needed to successfully establish trees
and/or shrubs on the site.
BIP offers a $500 per acre payment to the landowner
for successful buffer establishment. All initial costs
incurred in establishing the buffer are paid for by the
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landowner. After successful establishment of the buffer
is verified by the local DNR forester, ihc $500 per acre
payment will be made by the State to the landowner.
Regional Use—Maryland.
Eligibility—BIP is available for any area of privately
owned land of at least one acre and not more than 50
acres which is a (a) crop field; (b) pasture; (c) other open
space of bare ground; or (d) early succcssional
vegetation. Eligible lands must also meet one of the
following criteria: (a) be adjacent to and within 3(X) feet
of a stream, river, pond, tidal or non-tidal wetland, or
other open water; (b) be within 300 feet plus four feet
for every one percent slope for slopes averaging greater
than six percent; or (c) be within the 100-year Hoodplain
as shown on a H.U.D. flood insurance map. If two-thirds
of an agricultural Held qualifies under the above criteria,
the entire field will be eligible.
Maryland Woodland Incentives
Program
Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Forestry
Division (Appendix 1)
Description—The Woodland Incentives Program (W1P)
provides cost-share and technical assistance to private,
non-industrial woodland owners for the management of
their woodlands, including forested wetlands. Developed
in 1989, WIP goals include enhancement of the
environmental, aesthetic, and wildlife bencfiLs provided
by private woodlands, as well as the provision of timber
and forest resources essential to commerce and industry
in the State. WIP funds can be applied to such practices
as reforestation of open land or cutover woodlands,
timber stand improvement practices, and forest
management and protection practices. WIP is
administered by the Forestry Division of the Maryland
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) with technical
assistance from local DNR foresters.
How the Program Works—Landowners may apply
for WIP assistance through their county forester during
sign-up periods held periodically throughout the year.
The county forester will first inspect the site to
determine eligibility. Landowners must then submit
forest management plans, developed by a licensed
professional forester (such as a DNR forester), to their
county forester describing the type and extent of forest
management practices planned for the property. Once
approved by the county forester, the application is
submitted to the State forester for final approval.
WIP can pay up to 50 percent (but not to exceed
$5,000 per year) of the costs associated with forest
management. The required forest management agreement
is 15 yc;irs. Payments arc made to the landowner once
the approved practice is completed and the landowner
submits a claim for payment along with all bills that
were incurred.
Regional Use—Maryland.
Eligibility—WIP is available to private, non-industrial
woodland owners who own 10 to 500 acres of woodland
and/or forested wetlands. The landowner may not have
applied for, received approval for, or be receiving Federal
cost-share assistance for the same forestry practice for
which assistance is sought. Land for WIP must be
capable of producing at least 20 cubic feet of
wood/acre/ycar. No ornamental, Christmas tree
production, or orchard tree plantings arc eligible.
Maryland Greenways Program
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Greenways
and Resource Planning (Appendix 1)
Description—The Maryland Greenways Program was
established to create a Statewide natural and man-made
infrastructure of greenways for ensuring water quality,
providing habitat, and developing compatible recreational
opportunities. Wetlands, which arc frequently located
along rivers and streams, benefit from the protection
provided by the Maryland Greenways Program when
incorporated into a greenway system.
The Maryland Greenways Commission maintains a
Statewide inventory of greenways and supports the
development of priority projects through its network of
participating government and private organizations. The
Commission has identified two long-term projects: the
establishment of a Potomac River Greenway and a
Patapsco River Greenway. A number of smaller projects
along stream valleys or other natural, linear corridors are
also being pursued in conjunction with local
governments, environmental organizations, and citizen
groups.
How the Program Works—Land acquisition,
regulatory controls, local planning and zoning
requirements, donations of property, easements, and
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management agreements are all elements of a successful
greenway program. Technical assistance is provided by
the Grecnways and Resource Planning Program within
the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to any
group or individual looking to establish a greenway
connection. Such assistance can range from providing
appropriate contacts, helping to identify landowners,
identifying optional linkages, and/or developing full-
blown planning documents. The Maryland Grecnways
Commission staff works closely with the Grecnways
Resource and Planning Program. Public access is not a
requirement for grecnways.
Regional Use—Maryland.
Eligibility—Public and private organizations, properly
owners, developers, and other groups or individuals with
an interest in establishing a greenway connection arc
eligible for the Grecnways Program. Additional
information about potential technical assistance and
funding sources can be obtained by contacting the
Maryland Grecnways Commission.
Maryland Non-Structural Shore
Erosion Control Act
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Shore
Erosion Control (Appendix 1)
Description—The Maryland Non-Structural Shore
Erosion Control Act helps landowners implement non-
structural shore erosion control projects that stabilize
watersides, shorelines, and banks, and halt or retard
shoreline erosion and sediment deposits in waters of the
State. Through revegetation of the eroding shoreline,
landowners can reduce erosion rates as well as restore or
create wetland habitats along the shore. These restored or
constructed wetlands may then be eligible for other
wetlands assistance program benefits. The program is
administered by the Maryland Department of Natural
Resources (DNR), with assistance from County Soil
Conservation District Offices (SCD) and the Maryland
Eastern Shore Resource Conservation and Development
(RC&D) Council.
How the Act Works—The Shore Erosion Control Act
provides technical and cost-share assistance to
landowners with specific shore and bank erosion control
problems. Projects usually consist of revegetation with
smooth cordgrass or saltmeadow hay and stabilization
with or without bank grading. DNR, County SCD staff,
or the RC&D can determine whether a site is eligible for
Act grants and provide a list of organizations willing to
help landowners develop erosion control projects. DNR,
County SCD offices, and RC&D can also provide
technical assistance concerning bank grading, storm
water management techniques, and soil conservation
measures. It is the responsibility of the landowner to
contact a qualified contractor, develop erosion control
project ideas for the area with the contractor, receive a
cost estimate, and obtain the needed wetlands permit
from the Army Corps of Engineers and DNR for the
project (often these arc obtained by contractors). DNR
will consider a shore erosion control project based on
examination of the site, the proposal, and the project's
estimated cost. The landowner must have received
approval for the project and entered into a project
agreement with DNR before incurring any project co1"
Cost-share for approval projects is 50 percent of the
design and project construction costs and reimbursed to
the landowner at the completion of the project. Costs to
maintain the shore erosion control projects after
construction is implemented arc the sole responsibility
of the benefitted property owner.
Regional Use—Maryland.
Eligibility—Private and public landowners with
property abutting on any body of water in the State are
eligible fo grants under the Shore Erosion Control Act.
Chances o success arc greater where the distance of open
water (called fetch) is one mile or less and there is
already evidence of existing marsh grasses.
Nontidal Wetlands Protection
Program
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Nontidal
Wetlands Division (Appendix 1)
Description—The Maryland Department of Natural
Resources has established a program for the regulation,
creation, restoration, enhancement and monitoring of
nontidal wetlands in Maryland. The stated goal of the
program is to achieve no net loss of nontidal wetlands in
acreage and function. The program is also intended to
foster the conservation and wise use of nontidal
wetlands. Any activities undertaken in a nontidal wetland
or its associated buffer are subject to the regulations
promulgated as a result of this program. The Nontidal
Wetlands Division is available to assist landowners and
developers in avoiding and minimizing impacts to
nontidal wetlands as a result of specific activities.
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Technical assistance is also available to help landowners
manage the existing nontidal wetlands on their property.
How the Program Works—Landowners may contact
the Nontidal Wetlands Division to have Division
personnel meet with the landowner and visit the site.
Assistance can be provided to landowners to help avoid
and minimize impacts which may degrade an existing
wetlands and to provide recommendations for creating,
restoring and enhancing nontidal wetlands. Personnel can
also provide information regarding other assistance
programs, both financial and technical, to the landowner.
Regional Use—Maryland.
Eligibility—Public and private organizations, property
owners, developers, and other groups or individuals with
an interest in protecting, conserving, creating, restoring
or enhancing nontidal wetlands.
Program Open Space
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Program
Open Space (Appendix 1)
Description—Program Open Space was enacted by the
Maryland General Assembly in 1969 to provide
conservation and recreation lands as a living resource for
present and future generations. Funding is provided to
State and local conservation, recreation, and park
agencies for the purchase of natural lands for public use.
Wetlands and their surrounding natural areas can be
safeguarded against development and other urban impacts
through the protection provided by Program Open Space.
The Program seeks to help preserve approximately 10
percent of Maryland's natural lands in some form of
public conservation and/or recreational use. As of July,
1992, 7.9 percent of the State, or 483,800 acres, was
protected by State and local governments.
How the Program Works—Program Open Space is
funded through bonds and the State's Real Estate
Transfer Tax, a tax of one-half of one percent of the
purchase price of homes, land, shopping malls, or
business complexes. Funds arc divided equally between
the State and counties. Funding to the State is used for
acquisition of land for State parks, greenways, forests,
natural environment areas, wildlife management areas,
and natural heritage areas. County funds are appropriated
based on a formula. The Program provides 100 percent
assistance to counties and local municipalities for
acquisition and 75 percent assistance with development
and improvement of recreational areas.
Property owners interested in selling their land for
public parks, conservation, or open space purposes
should contact their local Department of Parks and
Recreation or their county program Open Space liaison
officer or call the Program Open Space Regional
Administrator in the Department of Natural Resources
(DNR). Property being considered for program
acquisition is examined by a county or local Program or
recreation officer to determine the land's natural
significance and applicability to the county's five-year
Master Plan for the area. Wildlife habitat, stream
protection, historical significance, and the presence of
fragile ecosystems such as wetlands are a few of the
many factors taken into consideration when property is
considered for Program Open Space funding. Lands
accepted into the Program are purchased from the
landowner based on the average of two appraisals of the
property.
Regional Use—Maryland.
Eligibility—Program Open Space is a funding source
available to the Maryland DNR, the Maryland-National
Capital Park and Planning Commission, and the county
and municipal governments of Maryland.
Maryland Waterfowl Restoration
Program
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife
Division (Appendix 1)
Description—The Maryland Waterfowl Restoration
Program is a tax incentive program for waterfowl habitat
development and management on private lands. The
objective of the program is to provide technical
assistance to private landowners for developing and
managing waterfowl habitats, specifically wetlands, for
breeding, migrating, and wintering ducks. The program
is also directed to improve and augment wetlands
habitats for dabbling ducks (mallards, black ducks, teal,
galdwall, wood ducks, etc.) by providing permanent open
water, properly interspersed with food and cover,
throughout the year. The Waterfowl Restoration
Program is administered by the Wildlife Division of the
Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
How the Program Works—Under the Waterfowl
Restoration Program, DNR can enter into 10-year
license agreements with private landowners who have
approved projects that create, develop, rehabilitate, and/or
preserve waterfowl habitat on their lands. The license
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agreement includes an approved Waterfowl Habitat
Management Plan to be carried out by the licensee. The
management plan docs not have to be, but usually is,
prepared by a DNR Wildlife Division biologist.
Technical assistance for project construction is usually
provided by local Soil Conservation Districts and/or the
Soil Conservation Service.
Expenditures made for approved projects arc
considered a contribution to the State of Maryland. The
program docs not retire crop lands from production nor
open the land to the public. These options arc left
entirely to the discretion of the landowner or the tenant.
Regional Use—Maryland.
Eligibility—For a project to be eligible for Waterfowl
Restoration Program funding, the project area should
encompass a minimum of 10 contiguous acres of habitat
to provide food and/or cover for ducks. The project area
should also include at least one acre of permanent water
with nesting and resting habitat within or near the
permanent water area. Proposed projects of less than 10
total acres and/or less than one acre of permanent water
may be reviewed by the Waterfowl Advisory Committee
and considered for possible inclusion in the program
based on the potential value of the project to the
program. Private lands used for commercial hunting
enterprises are ineligible.
Wild Acres Program
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife
Division (Appendix 1)
Description—The Wild Acres Program is designed to
provide information to landowners and other interested
persons about creating or enhancing wildlife habitat in
backyards, parks, nursing homes, farms, and other areas.
This includes wildlife habitat occurring in wetlands. The
program also rewards efforts made on behalf of wildlife
on these properties through Wild Acres certification.
Although primarily geared toward metropolitan areas,
Wild Acres attracts participants from all over the State.
How the Program Works—Wild Acres introductory
brochures arc distributed through over 70 retail plant
nurseries, nature, grocery, and department stores
statewide. Media coverage of the program is also fairly
consistent throughout the warmer months. People who
hear about the program through these outreach efforts
may ask for a Wild Acres Packet and application. The
packet consists of various "how to" sheets describing
wildlife habitat enhancing projects. When the application
is completed and returned to the Maryland Department of
Natural Resources Wildlife Division, the applicant is
sent a plastic backyard sign saying, "This property is a
certified part of Maryland's Wild Acres Program," and a
numbered certificate. A "memo" will also be sent to
participants with ideas and information on backyard
wildlife and wildlife habitat,
Regional Use—Maryland.
Eligibility—Any size, shape, or type of property is
eligible. All that is required is a completed application.
The Wild Acres Program is intended to be educational
and to provide positive feedback on efforts made to
enhance wildlife habitat.
Maryland Wildlife Habitat
Improvement Program
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife
Division (Appendix 1)
Description—The Maryland Wildlife Habitat
Improvement Program (WHIP), established in 1988,
pays farmers to leave certain crops unharvested in fields
to provide food for wildlife. Crops funded by this
program consist of grains, grasses, and legumes,
including corn, clover, alfalfa, and soybeans. The
standard WHIP agreement is one year. A three-year, four-
month grant agreement is also available for grass/legume
food plots. The intent of the program is to enhance
wildlife habitat by providing a source of food for Canada
geese and upland wildlife. WHIP is administered by the
Wildlife Division of the Maryland Department of Natural
Resources (DNR).
How the Program Works—Farmers interested in
WHIP should contact their District Wildlife Manager for
an application. Proposals will be selected which will: (a)
be the most beneficial to wildlife, and (b) be the most
cost effective. Grant proposals for any species or species
group planting may not exceed $10,000 for any grantee.
The farmer is responsible for all work and maintenance
involved in the project. In the waterfowl portion of the
program, waterfowl hunting is prohibited within 400
yards of the food plot.
The upland portion of the program is available in
Baltimore, Calvert, Carroll, Charles, Dorchester,
Frederick, Kent, Queen Anne's, Talbot, and Washington
Counties. In Baltimore, Carroll, and Frederick Counties,
24

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only properties totalling 20 acres or larger will be
considered for this program. The Canada Gccse portion
of WHIP is available in Calvert, Dorchester, Kent,
Queen Anne's, and TalboL Counties.
Regional Use—Maryland; limited to specific counties
(see above).
$
Eligibility—WHIP is available to fanners and
landowners owning and operating farmland in the
counties specified above.
Maryland State Highway
Administration Mitigation Options
Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland
State Highway Administration Environmental Design
Division (Appendix 1)
Description—The Maryland Suite Highway
Administration (SHA) seeks landowners interested in
having wetlands created or restored on their property as
mitigation sites for wetlands lost during highway
construction. SHA will design and construct a wetland
provided the landowner agrees to maintain the wetland in
perpetuity. SHA also acquires lands for mitigation sites
through fee-simple purchase of property.
How the Program Works—For an area to become a
SHA mitigation site, SHA must consider the mitigation
project feasible for the site. Feasibility is determined by
two important criteria: the location of" the site in relation
to the drainage area of the impacted wetlands and the
current vegetation at the site. The site under
consideration must lie within the drainage area of the
wetlands being impacted. This specification means that a
site in Garret County could not be chosen as a
mitigation project for highway construction in Anne
Arundel County. The second criteria requires the site
chosen for mitigation to be unforcsted.
SHA conducts searches for possible mitigation sites
within the watershed of the impacted wetlands.
Mitigation can occur within one site or be divided
among different sites based on the amount of wetlands
impacted by the highway construction and the
availability of acreage for mitigation. The availability of
the SHA's mitigation program varies with the amount
of highway construction impacting wetlands and the
location of the construction in relation to available
wetland mitigation sites located within the watershed of
the impacted wetland or wetlands.
Regional Use—Maryland.
Eligibility—Lands considered eligible for SHA
mitigation projects are those unforested lands lying
within the same watershed as the wetlands impacted
during highway construction. The landowner must also
be willing to maintain the created or restored wetland in
perpetuity.
Extension Natural Resource
Education Programs
Maryland Cooperative Extension Service Maryland
Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources
(Appendix 1)
Description—The Maryland Cooperative Extension
Service was originally established as part of the land
grant universities' three part mission of teaching-
rcsearch-extension. The Extension Service educates
citizens to apply practical, research-based knowledge to
critical issues, including wetlands conservation, which
face individuals, families, communities and our global
partners. Its mission is "Educating People To Help
Themselves." Program areas include natural resources,
agriculture, horticulture, home economics, 4-H youth
development, and more. The total Extension effort is
accomplished through a large informal network of
county and regional offices that offer seminars,
workshops, publications, volunteer training and other
assistance to educate citizens. These programs are
accomplished by working cooperatively with many
organizations, agencies, and volunteers. Many extension
clientele are landowners and have wetlands on their
property. The Extension Service has the reputation of
disseminating sound information and advice and is
usually the first point of contact for many citizens
seeking information. For this reason, the Agriculture
Extension Agent is an excellent contact point for
providing citizens with information about voluntary
programs for wetland protection.
How the Program Works—The County and Regional
Extension Agents work with many organizations to
organize education functions. The programs that provide
information on wetlands and related topics are listed
below. Additional programs can be found by contacting
the local Cooperative Extension agent.
• County Farm Meetings- each county typically holds
educational meetings, usually in the winter, for
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farmers. Call the local Extension Office for lime and
place.
•	Income Opportunities Utilizing Your Natural
Resources - enterprises rclalcd to forestry, wildlife,
recreation, horticulture and more. A yearly workshop is
held in western Maryland as well as other followup
workshops. Contact: Jonathan Kays, Maryland
Cooperative Extension Service, 18330 Kccdysvillc
Road, Kccdysvillc, MD 21756 or call (301) 791-2298,
or local extension agent.
•	Mid-Allantic Forest Stewardship Seminar - first
Saturday in November at Frederick Community
College. Contact: Terry Poole, Frederick County
Extension Office, 330 Montcvuc Lane, Frederick, MD
21702 or call (301) 694-1594. "Central Maryland
Forest Stewardship Seminar - Saturday seminar held in
Bel Air, MD. Contact: Robert Halman, Harford
County Extension Office, P.O. Box 663, Forest Hill,
MD 21050 or call (410) 638-3255.
•	Del mar va Forest Stewardship Seminar - joint
Maryland-Delaware Saturday seminar held in fall on the
Eastern Shore. Contact: Robert Tjadcn, Department of
Agriculture, 2320 South DuPont Hghwy, Dover, DE
19901 or call (302)739-4811.
•	Southern Maryland Forestry Seminar - Saturday
seminar held in spring in southern Maryland (Charles
County). Contact: Southern Maryland R C & D, Box
516, LaPlata, MD 20646 or call (301) 934-9290.
•	Coverts Project in Maryland - Outreach and training
program in forest and wildlife management. Four-day
training offered once a year to 30 persons. Contact:
Jonathan Kays, Maryland Cooperative Extension
Service, 18330 Kccdysvillc Road, Keedysville, MD
21756 or call (301) 791-2298, or local extension agent.
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Landowner Program Descriptions:
Nonprofit Organizations and Land Trusts
Farm Legacy Program
American Farmland Trust (Appendix 2)
Description—The American Farmland Trust (AFT) is a
non-profit organization that works with farmers,
business people, legislators, and conservationists to
encourage sound farming practices and preserve
America's most critical agricultural resources. AFT
conducts on-farm research and demonstration projects
with grass-roots sustainable agriculture organizations and
farmers to develop and encourage the use of sound
environmental farming practices. AFT also provides
advice to private landowners on ways to include
conservation strategies in land-use and estate plans for
farmers, and accepts donations of land and conservation
easements for conservation purposes.
How the Program Works—The Farm Legacy
Program is a new AFT program that encourages
individuals owning farms threatened by development to
donate their lands to AFT. Farm Legacy is a very
flexible program, allowing the prospective donor and
AFT stair to structure gifts to meet the landowner's
needs. Landowners donating their agricultural lands to
AFT may retain lifetime use of the property. Donors
may also receive significant income and estate-tax
deductions. Upon receiving the donated property, AFT
will sell the farm with conservation easements to
guarantee the preservation of the property. Proceeds from
the sale will then be used to protect other threatened
farms.
In addition to agricultural properties, AFT also
accepts nonfarm properties and appreciated securities to
the Farm Legacy Program. The Farm Legacy Program,
which will help to preserve wetlands located on
agricultural lands that might otherwise be sold for
development purposes, can potentially be coupled with
other programs such as the Conservation Reserve
Program to provide additional benefits to current and
future landowners.
Regional Use—National.
Eligibility—AFT offers assistance to owners of lands
with historical, agricultural, and environmental
significance.
Chesapeake Care Program
Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage Waterfowl Festival and
Ducks Unlimited (Appendix 2)
Description—The Chesapeake Care Program is a
wetlands program designed to help create and restore
shallow, emergent non-tidal wetlands, shrub swamps,
and wooded wetlands on private farmlands in the
Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The
Care program works with landowners to provide
technical guidance, habitat design and management,
funding, and construction of select projects that are of
significant importance. Chesapeake Care is funded
cooperatively through a matching grant from the
Waterfowl Festival and Ducks Unlimited (DU). Ducks
Unlimited then contracts with the Chesapeake Wildlife
Heritage to deliver the project on site.
How the Program Works—The Chesapeake Care
Program is geared specifically to the restoration and
creation of shallow, emergent non-tidal wetlands as well
as shrub swamps and wooded wetlands. All wetland sites
in the Care program are no deeper than one to two feet at
full pool. In exchange for committing the site or sites
for a 10-year period and allowing certain adaptations to
be made to the project site as needed, DU will pay for
the initial restoration/creation of the project site (either
entirely or in conjunction with the use of other State or
Federal agricultural funds), pay for the annual
management of the project by Chesapeake Wildlife
Heritage (CWH) personnel for the 10-year period, and
install signs recognizing the site and the cooperative
management efforts between the owner, DU, CWH, and
the Waterfowl Festival.
The sites will be managed by CWH primarily for
reduction of nutrient and sediment discharge from farms,
for spring migration habitat, and for Black Duck
wintering habitat. Wetland management will consist of
moist soil management; planting of wetland trees,
shrubs, or emergents; planting and flooding of
agricultural crops such as com, sorghum, and/or millet;
establishment of submerged aquatic vegetation; or some
combination of these techniques. Farmers are also
required to adopt some sustainable agricultural practices
such as cover cropping and band spraying with
cultivation.
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Regional Use—Maryland portion of the Chesapeake
Watershed.
Eligibility—Cost-share assistance for habitat
development cannot be given for those areas open to
commercial hunting or on those areas where hand reared
ducks arc released. Landowners are also asked to comply
with possible restrictions regarding disturbance on the
project site during critical periods of the year. Farmers
must be willing to permit the Chesapeake Wildlife
Heritage to manage the site and improvements for a 10-
year period.
Waterfowl Festival Sanctuary
Program
Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage (Appendix 2)
Description—The Waterfowl Festival Sanctuary
Program, established in 1987, compensates farmers
willing to leave S500-S1000 worth of unharvested crop
(corn or soybeans) and allow the Chesapeake Wildlife
Heritage (CWH) to plant 15-20 acres of winter wheat
cover crop to provide undisturbed feeding and resting
areas for Canada Gecsc during the winter. Sanctuary
Program agreements are run for one or three years and
require the cooperation of both the farmer and CWH. The
Sanctuary Program is administered by the CWH and
funded by the Waterfowl Festival.
How the Program Works—The Sanctuary Program
starts in the fall with participating farmers leaving
standing corn or soybeans in the designated locations.
Drilling of the cover crop starts right after corn harvest.
The planting of the cover crop is generally direct seeded
with a tractor and no-till drill and aerial seeded in
locations not having the equipment. Direct drilling
winter grain has resulted in better stand establishment
and consequently better goose grazing than just aerial
seeding. The main objective of this program is to
provide Canada Gccse on the Eastern Shore safe feeding
and resting areas over the winter, thus giving them the
opportunity to migrate while in optimal condition to
their spring breeding grounds in Canada. The farmer is
asked to leave the unharvested crop plus the 15-20 acre
winter cover crop until the geese have departed.
Waterfowl hunting on Sanctuary Program lands is
prohibited.
Regional Use—Eastern Shore of Maryland.
Eligibility—The Waterfowl Festival Sanctuary Program
is available to all farmers in the region meeting program
criteria.
The MARSH Program
Ducks Unlimited Atlantic Flyway Coordinator
(Appendix 2)
Description—The Matching Aid to Restore States
Habitat (MARSH) Program was begun in 1985 to
provide matching funds to public agencies and private
conservation groups for projects significantly benefitting
waterfowl. Private landowners can benefit from the
funding provided through MARSH if waterfowl and
habitat restoration projects on their property qualify for
the funding and is applied for by the agency or group
working with the landowner. MARSH is administered
through five Regional Ducks Unlimited (DU) offices.
Agencies and conservation groups operating in Maryland
should contact the Atlantic Flyway Coordinator to
determine if the habitat project on a landowner's property
could be eligible for MARSH funding.
How the Program Works—MARSH project
proposals should be developed and submitted to the
Regional flyway MARSH coordinator by the agency or
conservation group developing a habitat project. These
proposals should include all pertinent information
regarding location, legal description, ownership,
management objectives, description of work, projected
costs, and any supplementary support information
pertinent to the project. Once the MARSH coordinator
receives all of the necessary information, he will visit
those sites with the most potential and prepare project
evaluations. The Regional MARSH Coordinator
gives final approval, with advice from a volunteer
MARSH advisory committee, on projects with cost-
share expenses up to $25,000. Projects exceeding this
threshold are submitted to National Headquarters for
approval by the Director of Habitat Development.
Projects that lead to the protection and/or restoration
of North American Waterfowl Management Plan
(NAWMP) sites, benefiting non-game, threatened or
endangered species, unique habitats or ecosystems, and/or
having high public visibility or interpretive values, in
addition to providing substantial waterfowl values, will
receive priority for MARSH funding. Maximum cost-
share assistance under the MARSH program is 50
percent. Projects or cooperators not meeting minimum
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cost-efficicncy standards require special exemption, or
exceeding $200,000 in cost, require special approval by
the Conservation Programs Committee and the
President.
Regional Use—National.
Eligibility—DU will consider proposals from any
public agency or private conservation groups who arc 1)
able to execute long-term habitat agreements, 2) capable
of delivering and managing the projects proposed, and 3)
willing to assume all liability associated with the
project. MARSH projects must be on lands under
management control or oversight of a public agency or
private cooperators.
The MET Conservation Easements
Program
The Maryland Environmental Trust (Appendix 2)
Description—The Maryland Environmental Trust
(MET) was created by the General Assembly in 1967 to
conserve, improve, and perpetuate the State's natural
environment. The Conservation Easement Program is
the central program of the trust. Other land protection
programs complementing the Conservation Easement
Program are the Local Land Trust Assistance Program
and the Rural Historic Village Protection Project.
The goal of the Conservation Easement Program is to
preserve farmland, forestland, waterfront, wetlands, rare
or unique areas, scenic areas, endangered species habitat,
historic properties, and open space. A conservation
easement is a legal agreement between a landowner and
the Trust ensuring that the property and its significant
natural features will be permanently protected.
Conservation easements can be tailored to the needs of a
property owner, enabling the owner to control the future
appearance and character of the land.
How the Program Works—MET works closely with
prospective easement donors to tailor conservation
easement deeds to the individual characteristics of the
wetland property and the needs of the property owner
within guidelines established by the MET Board of
Trustees. Conservation easement donations to MET: 1)
secure the perpetual protection of land for specified
conservation purposes; 2) permit continued private
ownership, use, and residency; 3) permit sale of the
property subject to the easement provisions; 4) enable
landowners to pass property to their heirs; and 5) afford
landowners in many cases the opportunity to take
advantage of certain income, estate, and property tax
benefits and other financial incentives.
Properties covered by easements are periodically
monitored by MET staff to ensure compliance with the
terms of the easement. The landowner remains
responsible for all maintenance and upkeep of the
property. Public access is not required.
Regional Use—Maryland.
Eligibility—All private landowners of farmland,
forestland, waterfront, wetlands, rare or unique areas,
scenic areas, endangered species habitat, historic
properties, or other kinds of rural land are eligible for the
MET Conservation Easement Program. The proposed
easement provisions must meet the guidelines
established by the MET Board of Trustees on June 2,
1991, and be formally approved by the board.
Natural Area Registries
The Nature Conservancy (Appendix 2)
Description—The Nature Conservancy (TNC) runs
Natural Area Registries to honor private landowners of
outstanding natural areas, such as bogs and other
wetlands, for their commitment to the survival of the
land's natural heritage. In conjunction with Natural Area
Registries, The Nature Conservancy also provides
private landowners with information on additional
programs for protecting wetlands (such as acquisition,
conservation easements, bargain sale, donation, and other
voluntary agreements), best management practices, and
other relevant scientific information.
How the Program Works—The Natural Areas
Registry is a voluntary, non-binding and non-regulatory
program. There is no payment involved in enlisting
property in the Registry. In joining the Registry, the
owner commits to preserving and protecting the area to
the best of his or her ability, notifying TNC of any
threats to the area, such as pollution, rights-of-way, or
drainage; and notifying TNC of any intent to sell or
transfer ownership of the property. With the owner's
permission, TNC will visit the registered area annually
to assess changing conditions and identify new threats.
Public access to the registered property is not required by
the program. The Registry may be taken into account
when calculating property taxes, but States are not
required to do so. If the owner fails to protect the
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registered area, the area may be removed from the
Registry.
Regional Use—National.
Eligibility—To qualify for a Registry, the properly
must contain one or more of these natural values: habitat
for plants or animals with declining populations, plant
communities characteristic of the native vegetation,
and/or outstanding natural features such as virgin forests
or bogs.
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Landowner Program Descriptions:
Private, Industrial Programs
Glatfelter Cost-Share Program
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forestry
Division (Appendix 1)
Description—The Glatfelter Cost-Share Program is an
industrial cost-sharc program encouraging reforestation
on private, non-industrial forcstlands, including forested
wetlands. The Glatfelter Program, similar to the
Maryland Woodland Incentives Program (sec p. 21),
provides 50 percent cost-sharc assistance to landowners
for planting eligible seedlings. Participating landowners
are under no obligation to ihc Company.
Eligible species for the Glatfelter Program include:
loblolly pine, larch, white pine, white spruce, and
Norway spruce. Two of these eligible species, loblolly
pine and larch, can be planLed and successfully grown as
forested wetlands. The program is administered by the
Forestry Division of the Maryland Department of
Natural Resources (DNR) and the Glatfelter Pulp Wood
Company.
How the Program Works—Landowners interested in
the Glatfelter Program should contact the DNR Project
Forester in their county. Before planting can begin, ihc
site must be approved by a county DNR forester. A
forest management plan must also be in effect or
developed for the site by the county DNR forester.
Glatfelter provides a 50 percent cost-share to for
seedlings costs, while DNR provides technical assistance
for planting the seedlings.
The maximum amount of seedlings on one order for
which Glatfelter will pay is 20,(XX) (the landowner pays
for 20,000, Glatfelter pays for 20,000, on a total order of
40,000 seedlings). The minimum order under the
program is 1000 seedlings. Seedling orders arc accepted
by the Forestry Division on a first come basis beginning
in December until the limit has been reached. Seeds are
supplied through the State Nursery only. No ornamental,
Christmas tree production, or orchard tree plantings arc
eligible.
Regional Use—Maryland; limited to specific counties
(see Eligibility).
Eligibility—The Glatfelter Cost-Share Program is
available to private, non-industrial landowners in eligible
counties. Counties eligible for loblolly pine only arc:
Calvert, Caroline, Charles, Dorchester, Kent, Queen
Anne, St. Mary's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and
Worcester. Counties eligible for loblolly pine, larch,
white pine, Norway spruce, and white spruce are:
Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Harford, and
Washington.
Westvaco Cost-Share Program
Westvaco (Appendix 2) and Maryland Department of
Natural Resources Forestry Division
(Appendix 1)
Description—The Westvaco Cost-Share Program is an
industrial cost-share program encouraging the
reforestation of private, non-industrial forestland,
including forested wetlands. Working primarily in
southern and western Maryland, the Westvaco Program
provides 50 percent cost-share to private landowners for
planting eligible seedlings for commercial harvesting.
Species eligible for Westvaco cost-share assistance are:
loblolly pine, white pine, red pine, and Norway spruce.
One of these eligible species, the loblolly pine, can be
planted and successfully grown as forested wetlands. The
Westvaco Cost-Share Program is administered by
Westvaco through the Maryland Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) Forestry Division.
How the Program Works—Landowners wishing to
participate in the Westvaco Cost-Share Program should
contact Westvaco or the DNR Project Forester for their
county. Before planting can begin, the site must be
approved by a Westvaco staff forester. A forest
management plan must be in effect, or be developed by a
Maryland Registered Professional Forester, a Westvaco
Forester, a DNR Project Forester, or an independent
consulting forester. Planting and other technical
assistance is provided by the Westvaco or the local DNR
forester.
Landowners receive 50 percent cost-share assistance
from Westvaco for seedling costs. The minimum acreage
to be planted must be five acres or greater unless
approved by a Westvaco Forester. Orders must be placed
with Westvaco prior to February 1. Seedlings may be
supplied directly by Westvaco. No ornamental,
Christmas tree production, or orchard tree plantings are
eligible.
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Regional Use—Maryland; limited to specific counties
(see Eligibility).
Eligibility—The Wcstvaco Cost-Share Program is
available to private owners of forested wetlands residing
in the following counties: Allegany, Anne Arundel,
Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Garrett, Prince George's, St.
Mary's, and Washington.
Maryland Tree Farm Program
Maryland Tree Farm Committee (Appendix 2)
Description—The Maryland Tree Farm Program is part
of the American Tree Farm System, a nationwide
organization which recognizes landowners for quality
forest management on their property. The reality of a
tree farm is not straight rows of trees, but a diversity of
woodlands of every shape and form. Presently, nearly
60,000 landowners arc managing 89 million acres of
woodlands nationwide. In Maryland, there are 1424 tree
farms totalling over 269,000 acres. The objective of the
program is to encourage private landowners to manage
their forest lands using best management practices
(BMPs) for increased production of tree crops with the
added benefit of improved wildlife habitat, watershed
protection, recreation, and aesthetics. This program
recognizes that private landowners have a critical role in
our Nation's wood supply, since 56 percent of timber
harvested in the U.S. comes from nonindustrial private
landowners. The American Tree Farm Program was
established by ihc wood-using industry in 1941. It is
sponsored by the Maryland Forests Association,
Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and the
Maryland Cooperative Extension Service.
How the Program Works—Landowners wishing to be
in the Tree Farm Program should contact a private
consultant or industrial forester or their DNR Project
forester. A forest management plan will be developed
based on their objectives and the property recognized as a
pioneer tree farm. On a periodic basis, the property will
be rcinspected by a professional forester and if outlined
management practices arc implemented, the property will
be recognized as a certified Tree Farm. A large tree farm
sign will be given to the landowner to post at the
entrance of his or her property, as well as certificate
suitable for framing. There is no cost for the landowner
to participate in the program. The Tree Farm magazine
can also be ordered for a small fee.
Tree farmers will be eligible for the annual Maryland
Tree Farmer of the Year award, which can lead to
regional and national recognition for good forest
management. All tree farms meet the criteria for the
Forest Stewardship Program so landowners can take
advantage of the many cost-share opportunities.
Regional Use—Maryland and every State in the
country.
Eligibility—To qualify for certification, the woodland
owner must have 10 or more acres of woodland. They
must manage their properly for forest products, wildlife,
water protection, and aesthetics and protect their
woodland from fire, insects, and disease.
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Appendix 1—Federal and State Offices
The following is a list of Federal and Slate offices where
information regarding the programs described in the
Guide can be obtained. For questions regarding the
applicability of a program within the Slate of Maryland,
contact the State office responsible for that program.
Federal Programs and
Corresponding Offices
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA, Agricultural Stabilization and
Conservation Service
Conservation Reserve Program, Wetlands Reserve
Program, Agricultural Conservation Program, Water
Quality Incentives Program, Forestry Incentives
Program, Stewardship Incentives Program; technical and
educational assistance.
USDA, Agricultural Stabilization and
Conservation Service
Conservation and Environmental Protection Division
P.O. Box 2415
Washington, D.C. 20013
(202) 720-5295
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Maryland State ASCS Office
Rivers Center 10270-B
Old Columbia Road
Columbia, MD 21046
(410)381-4550
USDA, Farmers Home Administration
Farmers Home Administration Wetlands-Related
Options.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Farmers Home Administration
Room 5449
Washington, D.C. 20250-0700
(202) 720-4572
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Farmers Home Administration,
Maryland/Delaware State Office
Farmer Program Division
P.O. Box 400
Camden, Delaware 19934
(302) 6974300
USDA, Forest Service
Forestry Incentives Program, Forest Stewardship
Program, Stewardship Incentive Program; technical and
educational assistance.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Forest Service
Cooperative Forestry Staff
Auditors Building
201 14th Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250
(202)205-1374
USDA, Soil Conservation Service
Conservation Reserve Program, Wetlands Reserve
Program, Agricultural Conservation Program; technical,
financial, and educational assistance.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Soil Conservation Service
Conservation Planning Division
P.O. Box 2890
Washington, D.C. 20013
(202) 720-1845
U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Soil Conservation Service
John Hanson Business Center
339 Busch's Frontage Road, Suite 301
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410)757-0861
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Wetlands Protection Hotline; technical and educational
assistance.
Wetlands Division, A-104F
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20460
(202) 260-9043
(800) 832-7828 for Wetlands Protection Hotline
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region III Office
Wetlands Protection Section—3ES42
841 Chestnut Bldg.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 597-9800
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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Private Lands Assistance and Restoration Program,
North American Waterfowl Management Plan Joint
Venture Projects, North American Wetlands
Conservation Act; technical and educational assisUince.
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
North American Waterfowl and Wetlands Office
4401 N. Fairfax Drive
Arlington, VA 22203
(703)358-1784
North American Waterfowl Management Plan
Atlantic Coast Joint Venture Coordinator
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 5
One Gateway Center, Suite 700
Newton Corner, MA 02158
(617)965-5100
North American Wetlands Conservation Council
c/o Robert Strceter
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Office
North American Waterfowl and Wetlands Office
4401 N. Fairfax Drive
Arlington, VA 22203
(703)358-1784
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Chesapeake Bay Field Office
1825 Virginia Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 269-5448
Maryland Programs and
Corresponding Offices
Maryland Department of Agriculture
Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share
Program; technical and educational assistance.
Office of Resource Conservation
50 Harry S. Truman Highway
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410)841-5864
Maryland Cooperative Extension Service
Technical and educational assistance; County Extension
Offices arc found in each county: Regional Research and
Education Centers arc also located around the Suite.
Maryland Cooperative Extension Service
Maryland Institute for Agriculture and Natural
Resources
18330 Keedysville Road
Kccdysvillc, MD 21756
(301)791-2298
Contact the local Cooperative Extension agent.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Forestry Incentives Program, Forest Stewardship
Program, Stewardship Incentive Program, Wildlife
Habitat Improvement Program, Woodland Incentives
Program, Buffer Incentives Program, Westvaco Cost-
Share Program, Glatfelter Cost-Share Program; technical
and educational assistance.
Forestry Division,E-l
Tawcs Stale Office Building
580 Taylor Avenue
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410)974-3776
Maryland Green ways Program; technical and educational
assistance.
Grccnways and Resource Planning
D-3 Tawcs State Office Building
580 Taylor Avenue
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 974-3589
Technical and educational assistance
Nontidal Wetlands Division
E-2 Tawcs State Office Building
580 Taylor Avenue
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410)974-3841
Program Open Space; technical and educational
assistance.
Program Open Space, E-3
Tawes State Office Building
580 Taylor Avenue
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410)974-3581
Maryland Non-Structural Shore Erosion Control Act;
technical and educational assistance.
Shore Erosion Control, E-4
Tawes State Office Building
580 Taylor Avenue
Annapolis, MD 21401
(301)974-3727
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Tidal Wetlands Division, D-2
Tawcs Slate Office Building
580 Taylor Avenue
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410)974-3871
Maryland Waterfowl Restoration Program; technical and
educational assistance.
Wildlife Division, E-l
Tawcs State Office Building
580 Taylor Avenue
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410)974-3195
Maryland State Highway Administration
Maryland Stale Highway Administration Mitigation
Options.
Environmental Design Division
707 N. Calvert, Suite 310
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 333-8078
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Appendix 2—Land Trusts and Private Organizations
Land trusts can make very important contributions to
land conservation efforts. Land trusts working at local,
county, Stale, and national levels provide various forms
of technical, program, and/or financial assistance to
private landowners wishing to preserve their property.
Land trusts also use donations to fund land acquisition.
Combined, these approaches to landowner assistance
have enabled land trusts to preserve nearly 75,000 acres
in Maryland.
Appendix 2 lists the numerous national, State,
regional, and local land trusts working within Maryland.
To learn how a specific land trust may be able to help
with a landowner's conservation needs, contact the land
trust for additional information. Industrial private
organizations that assist landowners through cost-share
programs arc also listed.
National, State, and Regional Land
Conservation Organizations Profiled
Within the Guide
American Farmland Trust
Farm Legacy Program; technical and educational
assistance.
1920 N Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 659-5170
Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage
Chesapeake Care Program, Waterfowl Festival Sanctuary
Program; technical and educational assistance.
P.O. Box 1745
Easton, MD 21601
(301)822-5100
Ducks Unlimited
MARSH Program; technical and educational assistance.
1155 Connecticut Ave, N.W. #800
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 452-8824
MARSH Atlantic Flyway Coordinator
219 County Road
Bedford, NH 03102
(603) 626-7706
Maryland Environmental Trust
MET Conservation Easement Program; technical and
financial assistance.
275 West Street, Suite 322
Annapolis MD 21401
(410)974-5350
The Nature Conservancy
Natural Area Registries; technical and educational
assistance.
2 Wisconsin Ave.
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
(301)656-8673
Additional National, State, and Regional
Land Trusts, and Private Organizations
Operating Within the State of Maryland
American Battlefield Protection Foundation
1225 Eye St., NW
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 347-6247
Association for the Preservation of Civil War Sites
P.O. Box 1862
Fredericksburg, VA 22402
(703) 371-1860
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
162 Prince George St.
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 268-8833
Conservation Advisors
P.O. Box 134
Chaddsford, PA 19317
(215)558-0470
Conservation Foundation/World Wildlife Fund
1250 24th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20037
(202) 293-4800
The Conservation Fund
1800 N. Kent Street, Suite 1120
Arlington, VA 22209
(703) 525-6300
Environmental Law Clinic
University of Maryland Law School
500 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
(301) 328-2147
(301) 544-7463
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Land Trust Alliance
900 17th Street, N.W.
Suite 410
Washington, D.C. 20006
(202)785-1410
Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation
50 Harry S. Truman Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21403
(410)841-5860
Maryland Historic Trust
100 Community Place
Crownsville, MD 21032
(410) 514-7600
Natural Lands Trust
1031 Palmers Mill Road
Media, PA 19063
(215) 353-5587
The Trust for Appalachian Trail Lands
P.O. Box 807
Harper's Ferry, WV 25425
(304)535-6331
The Trust For Public Land
312 Massachusetts Ave.
Washington, D.C. 20002
(202)543-7552
University of Maryland School of Public Affairs
2105 Morrill Hall
College Park, MD 20742
(301) 405-6359
Local Land Trusts Operating Within the
State of Maryland
Accokeck Foundation
3400 Bryant Point Rd.
Accokeck, MD 20627
(301)283-2113
American Chestnut Land Trust
Box 204
Port Republic, MD 20676
(410)586-1570
Annapolis Conservancy Board
160 Duke of Gloucester Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 268-1670
Arundlc Conservation Trust
1194 Maple Avenue
Shady Side, MD 20764
(410) 867-1756
Back River Neck Peninsula Community Assoc.
2116 Holly Neck Rd.
Baltimore, MD 21221
(410)687-4011
Bay Ridge Trust
12 Mayo Ave.
Annapolis, MD 21403
(410) 267-6744
Bowlay's Quarters Peninsula
1402 Burke Rd.
Baltimore, MD 21220
(410) 335-7285
Carroll County Land Trust
Carroll County Dept. of Planning
225 North Center Street
Westminster, MD 21157
(410)857-2132
Caves Valley Land Trust
2532 Caves Rd.
Owings Mills, MD 21117
(410) 244-7656
Central Maryland Heritage League
2136 Old National Pike
Middletown, MD 21769
(301)473-8732
Charles County Conservancy
Charles Co. Dept. of Planning and Zoning
P.O. Box "B"
LaPlata, MD 20646
(301) 645-0540
Eastern Shore Land Conservancy
P.O. Box 169
Quecnstown, MD 21658
(410) 827-8065
Franklintown Land Trust
5107 Maple Park Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21207
(410)448-1719
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Gunpowder Valley Conservancy
12124 Jericho Road
Kingsvillc, MD 21087
(410)671-3089
Harford Environmental Land Pres. Commission
220 South Main St.
Bel Air, MD 21014
(410) 879-2000
Harford l ^ind Trust
P.O. Box 385
Churchvillc, MD 21028
(410)836-2103
Howard County Conservancy
3619 Folly Quarter Road
Ellicott City, MD 21043
(410) 740-1558
Kensington Land Trust
3923 Prospect St.
Kensington, MD 20895
(301) 933-8756
Land Pres. Trust/Valleys Planning Council
P.O. Box 5402
Towson, MD 21285
(410) 337-6877
Little Elk Creek Agricultural Preserve
123 Fairhill Drive
Elkton, MD 21921
(410) 398-9457
Lower Shore Land Trust
P.O. Box 32
Allen, MD 21826
(410) 543-6469
Magothy River Land Trust
2709 Forked Creek Road
Arnold, MD 21146
(410) 233-1660
Monocacy Watershed Conservancy
8848 Indian Springs Road
Frederick, MD 21702
(301)663-6104
Ml. Washington Preservation Trust
5720 Ridgcdalc Road
Baltimore, MD 21209
(410)664-4814
Plum Point Environmental Land Trust
2705 Ridge Road
Huntington, MD 20639
(301) 925-9449
Rockburn-Morning Choice H.C.D.
6565 Belmont Woods Road
Elkridge, MD 21227
(202) 962-4850
Save Historic Antictam Foundation
P.O. Box 550
Sharpsburg, MD 21782
(301) 790-2800
Severn River Land Trust
250 W. Pratt St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 576-4886
South County Conservation Trust
P.O. Box 82
Churchion, MD 20733
(410)974-2916
South Mountain Heritage Society
P.O. Box 459
Burkittsvillc, MD 21718
(301)443-3163
So. Cecil Co. Community & Watershed Assoc.
One Middlcncck Road
Warwick, MD 21912
(410)755-6884
Upper Patuxct Land Trust
6510 Paper Place
Highland, MD 20777
(301)854-2340
Washington County Land Quality Foundation
5564 Portcrstown Rd.
Keedysville, MD
(202) 260-5317
Wccms Creek Conservancy
3 Wccms Creek Drive
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 266-6944
Western Maryland Conservancy
1811 Old National Pike
Middlctown, MD 21769
(301)473-5991
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Wildlife Land Trust
17308 Queen Anne's Bridge Road
Bowie, MD 20716
(301) 390-7010
Worchcster Environmental Trust
P.O. Box 38
Snow Hill, MD 21863
(410)632-2641
Private Organizations
P.H. Glatfeltcr Company
228 S. Main Street
Spring Grove, PA 17362
(717) 225-4711
Maryland Tree Farm Program
P.O. Box 300
Pocomokc City, MD 21851
Or contact your local consultant forester or DNR Project
Forester for more information.
Wcstvaco Corporation
Wo(xl Procurement Department
300 Pratt Street
Luke, MD 21540
(301) 359-3623
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