The USDA has awarded $ 30 million to projects in six states to protect, restore and enhance wetlands on private and tribal agricultural lands. The Iowa Natural Resources Service is one of the partners funded and received $ 3 million in this supplemental funding allocation. Iowa NRCS Wetlands Restoration Specialist John Paulin says the $ 3 million is about a third of what Iowa NRCS receives annually for the wetland reserve easement program.
Paulin says the money will go to four counties in North Central and Northwest Iowa for restoration of large prairie pothole complexes.
He says those complexes are upwards of 100 to 200 acres. Paulin also says those interested in wetlands restoration can apply for assistance year round.
Paulin says the wetland restoration program has been a very popular one in Iowa. He says they have close to 1600 easements and nearly 180,000 acres that have been protected through the program over the past 20 years.