Indiana Wetlands Reserve Program

1) to purchase conservation easements from, or enter into cost-share agreements with willing owners of eligible land,

2) help eligible landowners, protect, restore, and enhance the original hydrology, native vegetation, and natural topography of eligible lands,

3) restore and protect the functions and values of wetlands in the agricultural landscape,

4) help achieve the national goal of no net loss of wetlands, and to improve the general environment of the country. 

 

The emphasis of the WRP program is to protect, restore and enhance the functions and values of wetland ecosystems to attain:

1) first and foremost, habitat for migratory birds and wetland dependent wildlife, including threatened and endangered species; 

2) protection and improvement of water quality;

3) lessen water flows due to flooding;

4) recharge of ground water;

5) protection and enhancement of open space and aesthetic quality;

6) protection of native flora and fauna contributing to the Nation’s natural heritage; and

7) contribute to educational and scholarship.

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The 2012 Geographic Area Rate Caps (GARC) have been set for the Wetlands Reserve Program and Floodplain Easement Program. These caps are used to determine offers to landowners on both programs. Caps are set for individual counties with an ag land value used on those lands that are cropland, hayland or pasture. Non-ag land is used for woodland, wildlife land, and those lands that have not been farmed, hayed, or pastured in the past ten years. GARC values are reviewed on an annual basis and approved by the State Conservationist in conjunction with the State Technical Committee.

 

2012 GARC Table (PDF; 50 KB)

2012 GARC Map (PDF; 98KB)

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