May 5, 2010                                                                                                                                                                      Contact: Sean Neary or Chris Gaddie
                                                                                                                                                                                        (202) 224-2043

USDA Agrees to Implement Conrad Provision
Protecting Devils Lake Landowners

 Farmer and Ranchers in the Basin Can Again Apply for Wetlands Reserve Program

Washington – At the urging of Senator Kent Conrad the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that it has issued a Memorandum of Understanding with the State of North Dakota and will once again provide relief to landowners inundated by the Devils Lake flooding.

Now, farmers and ranchers who saw their land swallowed up by the natural overflow of closed basin lakes like Devils Lake and Stump Lake can once again apply to recoup damages under the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), a provision authored by Senator Conrad in the 2008 Farm Bill.

USDA had suspended issuing contracts under the WRP after questions of state interest in inundated land were raised by title insurance companies. But Senator Conrad worked with the USDA to speed up negotiations with the State and come to a resolution on this issue.

"I am glad this issue has been resolved.  I worked hard to include the Wetlands Reserve Program provision in the Farm Bill back in 2008.  Now landowners devastated by the flooding in the Devils Lake basin and surrounding regions will be able to take advantage of this relief program," said Senator Conrad.  “It is not a solution for everyone, but it provides an option where none existed before.”

The Wetlands Reserve Program is a voluntary program offering landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on their property.  The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides technical and financial support to help landowners with their wetland restoration efforts.  The NRCS goal is to achieve the greatest wetland functions and values, along with optimum wildlife habitat, on every acre enrolled in the program.  This program offers landowners an opportunity to establish long-term conservation and wildlife practices and protection.

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