Duck brood feeding in wetland

Wetland Reserve Easement Incentive

The Department offers public access incentive payments on Wetland Reserve Easements.

General Program Guidelines

Wetland Reserve Easement (WRE) is a federal conservation program delivered by the USDA-NRCS (Natural Resource Conservation Service). Enrolling provides landowners with cost-share, technical assistance, and a substantial up-front payment to restore, protect or enhance wetlands and associated uplands for 30 years.

The Departments’ WRE Incentive is a companion program that provides an up-front payment to landowners to allow public walk-in hunting access on private property enrolled in a Wetland Reserve Easement.

The Department selects tracts to fund based on accessibility, location, and habitat diversity.

Payment Rates

Rates map

Sample payment calculation = $6/acre x 100 acres x 30 years = $18,000.00 one-time up-front payment

Landowner must agree to:

  • Allow the Department to sign and publicize the enrolled acres as open to walk-in hunting.

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