EASEMENTS Lanette Dietrich Assistant State Conservationist Easement Program

EASEMENTS Lanette Dietrich, Assistant State Conservationist – Easement Program lanette. dietrich@mn. usda. gov

ACEP Agricultural Conservation Easement Program WRE Wetland Reserve Easements ALE Agricultural Land Easements

WRE Wetland Reserve Easements Landowners and tribes Voluntary program Restore and protect wetland ecosystems Permanent, 30 years, Long-term Contracts Eligible Lands include farmed or prior converted wetlands that can successfully be restored, croplands or grasslands subject to flooding and riparian areas that link protected wetland areas. Restoration cost are financially supported

ALE Agricultural Land Easements Partner agreement identifies eligible land for easement acquisition Voluntary program Landowners continue to own the easement Protect and sustain working lands – keeps agricultural land Partners include state or local agencies, non-profits and tribes NRCS and partner match funds for purchase of easement Permanent, 30 years Eligible Lands include privately owned cropland, rangeland, grassland, pastureland forestlands

Program Status (NEST) Program Number Acres EWP-FPE 41 5, 604 EWRP 25 2, 103 FRPP 62 7, 058 GRP 4 215 ALE 2 180. 4 Perm 404 64, 845 30 -year 561 50, 437 9 1241 WRP WRE Perm The general public may access NRCS geospatial data at the following Web address: http: //ncgcweb. ftw. nrcs. usda. gov/easements/imagery/. Available data includes the program name, easement boundaries, centroids, and State or county boundaries.

Program Status Backlog Restoration Program Number Active Contracts WRP 74 220 WRE 6 3 Acquisition Program FY Number Acres WRE 2017 3 165

Additional Easement Efforts Post Easement Land Surveys - 342 Acquisition perfected within 12 months Minnesota guidance commercial use including bee hives, grazing, etc. Management actions

Lanette Dietrich, Assistant State Conservationist – Easement Program lanette. dietrich@mn. usda. gov

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