[MPWG] FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: USDA Seeks Project Proposals to Protect and Restore Critical Wetlands (Due April 24)

Thu Mar 9 11:42:30 CST 2017

Release No. 0022.17

WASHINGTON, March 9, 2017 - Acting Deputy Agriculture Secretary Michael
Young today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is
investing up to $15 million in technical and financial assistance to help
eligible conservation partners voluntarily protect, restore and enhance
critical wetlands on agricultural lands. Restored wetlands improve water
quality downstream and improve wildlife habitat, while also providing flood
prevention and recreational benefits to communities.

Funding will be provided through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement
Partnership (WREP), part of the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
(ACEP), a Farm Bill conservation program.

This year, NRCS is encouraging partners to propose projects that focus on
improving water quality as well as habitat on working landscapes in
high-priority areas, ranging from the sagebrush of the West to the
Chesapeake Bay. A number of at-risk species rely on wetlands, including the
American black duck, bog turtle, wood turtle, spotted turtle, Blandings
turtle and greater sage-grouse as well as a variety of mussel and fish
species.

Proposals must be submitted to NRCS state offices by April 24, 2017.

Contact:
USDA Office of Communications
press at oc.usda.gov
(202) 720-4623

See full Press Release at:
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAOC/bulletins/18c3ffb

More information on the ACEP webpage:
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/easements/acep/
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