|
| |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 8, 2011
For More Information Contact:
Paige Buck, State Public Affairs Specialist, (217) 353.6606
NRCS Easement Payment Rates Approved For FY 2011 Use
Champaign, IL—Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
recently updated payment rates for two popular conservation easement programs.
Updates allow payment rates for wetlands to account for land value differences
on cropland versus non-cropland. The new Geographic Area Rate Caps, or “GARCs,”
apply to land entering either the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) or the
Grassland Reserve Program (GRP). According to Illinois NRCS State
Conservationist Bill Gradle, the new process allows NRCS staff to offer clients
a quick accounting of potential program payments. New payment rates vary
regionally across the state and are based on new market analysis data.
By selling an easement under either WRP or GRP, landowners receive a lump sum
cash payment in exchange for restoring or converting marginal agricultural land
to wetland areas or designating grasslands for grazing or hay operations. The
goals of these programs are science and conservation-based -- to restore the
greatest wetland value possible and to maintain grassland functions and values,
while also offering optimum wildlife habitat on every acre enrolled in these
programs. Both WRP and GRP easement offers are based on the Geographic Area Rate
Cap for that region, or the landowner’s offer, whichever is lowest.
| For 2011 WRP: |
| WRP easement rates on cropland range from $2,800 -
$4,400 per acre. WRP easement rates on non-cropland range from $2,500 to
$4,000. See WRP map for counties in each designated region or view
information online at
www.il.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/wrp_ewp/wrp_index.html. Because the
program intent is to restore current cropland to its former wetland
condition, all WRP applications must include areas with at least 50%
cropland. |
| |
|
For 2011 GRP: |
GRP easement rates range from $2,400 - $3,900 per acre.
See GRP map for counties in each designated region or view map and
program information online:
http://www.il.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/grp/index.html.
GRP applicants can also consider using the Annual Rental Rate option for
land that cannot be purchased or dedicated permanently. Unlike WRP, GRP
easements permit/encourage producers to keep the land in working land
status; grasslands are meant to be grazed, used, and well managed. |
To sign up or access more information about WRP, GRP, or other
NRCS conservation programs, contact the NRCS office serving your county or visit
http://www.il.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/.
###
NRCS - Helping People Help the Land
An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
Photo caption: Maps show regional arrangement and
counties designated for 2011 Geographic Area Rate Caps for WRP and GRP in new
Illinois NRCS contracts. Visit
http://www.il.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ to learn more.
 
Download Maps (PDF)
The following document is available in
Microsoft Word
format.
2011wrp_caps.pdf (PDF, 135kb)
The following document is available in
Adobe Acrobat
format.
2011GRP_caps.pdf (PDF, 204kb)
| |
|
About Us
Back to Top