16 U.S.C. § 3837
Section 3837 · Wetlands reserve program
Current version, with additions and removals from the August 10, 1993 version.
(1) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish a wetlands reserve program to assist owners of eligible lands in restoring and protecting wetlands.
The Secretary shall establish a wetlands reserve program to assist owners of eligible lands in restoring and protecting wetlands.
(2) Purposes
The purposes of the wetlands reserve program are to restore, protect, or enhance wetlands on private or tribal lands that are eligible under subsections (c) and (d).
(1) Maximum enrollment
The total number of acres enrolled in the wetlands reserve program shall not exceed 3,041,200 acres.
(2) Methods of enrollment
Subject to paragraph (3), the Secretary shall enroll acreage into the wetlands reserve program through the use of permanent easements, 30-year easements, restoration cost share agreements, or any combination of those options.
(3) Acreage owned by Indian tribes
(1) a total of not less than 330,000 acres by the end of the 1995 calendar year; and
(2) a total of not less than 975,000 acres during the 1991 through 2000 calendar years.
(A) a 30-year contract (the value of which shall be equivalent to the value of a 30-year easement);
(B) restoration cost-share agreements; or
(C) any combination of the options described in subparagraphs (A) and (B).
(1) such land maximizes wildlife benefits and wetland values and functions;
(2) such land is—
(B) cropland or grassland that was used for agricultural production prior to flooding from the natural overflow of a closed basin lake or pothole, as determined by the Secretary, together (where practicable) with the adjacent land that is functionally dependent on the cropland or grassland; and
(1) farmed wetland and adjoining lands, enrolled in the conservation reserve, with the highest wetland functions and values, and that are likely to return to production after they leave the conservation reserve;
(1) farmed wetland and adjoining lands, enrolled in the conservation reserve, with the highest wetland functions and values, and that are likely to return to production after they leave the conservation reserve;
(3) riparian areas that link wetlands that are protected by easements or some other device or circumstance that achieves the same purpose as an easement.
(3) riparian areas that link wetlands that are protected by easements or some other device or circumstance that achieves the same purpose as an easement.
The Secretary may not acquire easements on—
The Secretary may not acquire easements on—
(1) land that contains timber stands established under the conservation reserve under subpart B; or
(1) land that contains timber stands established under the conservation reserve under subpart B; or
(2) pasture land established to trees under the conservation reserve under subpart B.
(2) pasture land established to trees under the conservation reserve under subpart B.
The Secretary may terminate or modify an existing contract entered into under section 3831(a) of this title if eligible land that is subject to such contract is transferred into the program established by this subpart.
The Secretary may terminate or modify an existing contract entered into under section 3831(a) of this title if eligible land that is subject to such contract is transferred into the program established by this subpart.
The Secretary shall enroll lands in the wetland reserve through the purchase of easements as provided for in section 3837a of this title.