2005-01-27_AgendaPacket - Laserfiche WebLink

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y ~' s s • Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced that Minnesota's application to become the second state in the nation to participate in the USDA's Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program (WREP) has been approved. The Governor and Agriculture Deputy Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Envi- ronment R. Mack Gray made the announcement at the Minnesota State Capitol and highlighted the partnership that will accelerate the state's wetland restoration efforts. "The pressure on Minnesota's water, wildlife and habitat requires our immediate action to defend this critical resource," said Governor Pawlenty. "The fact that the federal government has approved our plan shows that once again, Minnesota is leading the nation in wetland and habitat restoration: ' "This partnership brings federal, state and local resources together to restore wetlands, provide habitat for wildlife and improve water quality," said Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman. "This project supports President Bush's goal to restore, improve and protect an additional 3 million acres of environmentally sensitive wetlands." The targeted restoration funds will focus on ap- proximately 7,250 acres throughout Minnesota. The regions and acreage include: 3,000 acres in the five Presidentially Declared Flood Disaster Counties of Dodge, Faribault, Freeborn, Mower, and Steele counties in southern Minnesota; 1,750 acres along the Red River of the North main stem; 1,500 acres in the Buffalo-Red River Watershed in northwestern; and, 1,000 acres in the Grand Marais Creek Subwatershed in northwestern Minnesota. "Southeastern Minnesota has been hit hard by recent flood damage," said Governor Pawlenty. "We have made it a priority to fmd ways to prevent flooding from occurring in the future and this is just one of the steps we will take to help prevent the problem." Governor Pawlenty and the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR), in partnership with USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (MRCS) State Conservationist Bill Hunt, submitted an application to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service earlier this month. Minnesota's WREP plan is a three-year, $16.2 million plan. Under the plan, the USDA will provide $2.8 million in 2004, and commits to a total of $15 million over three years from the federal agency. The state will provide $1.2 million toward the effort, allocated over three years." The state portion of funding will come from funds previously appropri- ated by the legislature to BWSR for the Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) Reserve program, which focuses on habitat restoration and protection, water quality enhancement, and water retention and storage. Under the plan announced today, Minnesota will also develop along-range wetland restoration strategic plan in coordination with USDA. In the disaster counties, the program will target sites within the watersheds to achieve strategic flood storage in conjunction with water quality and wildlife benefits. The heavy rains in this area have had a significant impact on agriculture, transporta- tion, and the city ofAustin. WREP will help allevi- ate recurring flooding issues. WREP is administered through a partnership between NRCS and BWSR. The program provides a voluntary opportunity for landowners to receive both financial and technical assistance to restore wetlands and increase wildlife habitat. Wetlands provide fish and wildlife habitat, act as a water quality filter, reduce flooding, recharge groundwater, and provide educational or recreational opportuni- ties. WREP was authorized by the 2002 Farm Bill.