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Delaware Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) Reverse Auction
Staff Contact: Irma
Hernandez, Program Specialist
Phone:(302) 678-4191
FAX: (302) 678-0843
The Wetland Reserve Program is a competitive program using a combination of
statewide and county ranking systems to fund the most environmentally beneficial
projects. The Wetlands Reserve Program is a voluntary program that
protects, restores and enhances wetlands, while maximizing wildlife benefits.
The WRP reverse auction will pay landowners to establish wetlands in exchange
for perpetual or 30 year easements. In exchange for the easements, landowners
may receive up to 100 percent of their accepted offer for the enrolled land plus
the cost of approved wetland restoration practices.
The Delaware Natural Resource Conservation Service will be hosting a free
Wetland Reserve - Reverse Auction Workshop at the Greenwood Fire Hall on June
26, 2007 beginning at 7:00 to 8:00PM.
For additional information please download the information Invitation and
contact your local NRCS office:
Kent: 302-741-2600 X3.
Sussex: 302-856-3990 X3.
The Following Document Required
Microsoft Word
Invitation
and Information about the free Wetland Reserve Reverse Auction Workshop (27
KB)
Reverse Auction bids must submitted with the required documents by July 15, 2007
Required Forms:
- The AD-1153 - program application
- Landowner Self- Assessment includes bid
To download
the required Application, AD-1153 go to the eForms Website and Select the
Following:
Agency Name: Natural resource Conservation Service
Program Name: Wetland Reserve Program
Form Number: 1153
Select: Search
Results will List the AD1153 in Blue: The AD-1153 form can be downloaded from the Results of the search.
Watershed – The proposed project area is the Chesapeake Bay watershed, which
includes the Choptank, Nanticoke, Blackwater-Wicomico, and Pocomoke River
watersheds, excluding the Chester-Sassafras watershed because of its development
pressures. Also, the proposed sites have to be located outside of the growth
zones determined by the state.
This Delaware watershed consists mainly of active farmland, with limited
concentrated development. The Chesapeake Bay watershed in Delaware is the only
area in the state that has substantial blocks of woodland that can be restored
back to wetlands. In the rest of Delaware, the landscape is dominated by either
high development pressures, like the coastal areas, or the wooded areas that are
mainly limited to narrow, wooded corridors along streams.
Acres – The size of the entire watershed is 410,000 acres, while the size of the
proposed forested land use eligible for the project is approximately 100,000
acres. Even though this is a substantial size, the area meets the project
criteria of a homogeneous area of similar size, land use, soil type, topography,
cover, and farm infra-structure.
Land Use(s) – The land use in the Chesapeake watershed is 26% woodland, 24%
cropland, 4% pastureland, 14% developed land, and 32% other. Other land includes
rural land, small water, census water, and CRP land. The eligible land use for
the project will be wooded wetlands that have been hydrologically modified.
Habitat Types to be Restored – The wetland habitat type to be restored is PFO1A
and PFO1C.
A majority of Delaware’s WRP applications have been in this watershed. The area
was historically drained during the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) era.
Almost all the WRP activity in Delaware has been in wooded areas that have been
hydrologically modified by extensive drainage work. If a landowner wants to
restore cropland to wetlands, this has been historically done under the
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). CREP provides about the same
dollar amount to the landowner as WRP, but the land is only contracted for 15
years.
The drainage in the woods consists mainly of side lateral ditches that drain in
to a main ditch. These side lateral ditches are usually controlled by a
controlled inlet (C.I.) pipe. The sites are extremely easy to restore, which is
accomplished by blocking the water from entering the C.I. pipes, restoring the
hydrology in the woodland behind the pipes.
Basic Soil Type(s): Dominant freshwater wetland soils on upland flats:
Fallsington, Corsica, and Mullica.
Poorly drained Fallsington soils dominate broad, wet flats. Depressions, swales
and lower flats are dominated by very poorly drained Corsica and Mullica soils.
Poorly drained Hurlock soils and very poorly drained Berryland soils are also
important. These soils formed in parent material consisting of loamy and sandy
fluviomarine sediments. If not artificially drained, they meet hydric criteria.
Fallsington soils: The natural drainage class is poorly drained. Water movement
in the most restrictive layer is moderately high. Available water to a depth of
60 inches is moderate. Shrink-swell potential is low. This soil is not flooded,
but is occasionally ponded. A seasonal zone of water saturation is at 5 inches
during January, February, March, and April. Non-irrigated land capability
classification is 4w.
Corsica soils: The natural drainage class is very poorly drained. Water movement
in the most restrictive layer is moderately low. Available water to a depth of
60 inches is high. Shrink-swell potential is low. This soil is not flooded. It
is frequently ponded. A seasonal zone of water saturation is at 2 inches during
January, February, March, and April. Non-irrigated land capability
classification is 4w.
Mullica soils: The natural drainage class is very poorly drained. A thick, dark
surface layer high in organic matter is characteristic. Water movement in the
most restrictive layer is moderately high. Available water to a depth of 60
inches is moderate. Shrink-swell potential is low. This soil is not flooded. It
is frequently ponded. A seasonal zone of water saturation is at 2 inches during
January, February, March, and April. Nonirrigated land capability classification
is 4w.
Hurlock soils: The natural drainage class is poorly drained. Water movement in
the most restrictive layer is moderately low. Available water to a depth of 60
inches is moderate. Shrink-swell potential is low. This soil is not flooded. It
is occasionally ponded. A seasonal zone of water saturation is at 5 inches
during January, February, March, and April. Nonirrigated land capability
classification is 4w.
Berryland soils: The natural drainage class is very poorly drained. A black,
sandy surface layer over sandy, reddish brown, sometimes cemented subsoil is
typical. Water movement in the most restrictive layer is moderately high.
Available water to a depth of 60 inches is low. Shrink-swell potential is low.
This soil is not flooded. It is frequently ponded. A seasonal zone of water
saturation is at 2 inches during January, February, March, and April.
Nonirrigated land capability classification is 4w.
Number of Anticipated Participants and Applications – 16 participants for 8
applications. Anticipated acres – 800.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has
selected the Nanticoke Watershed to conduct a Wetland Restoration Strategy. This
process is almost complete, with input from several agencies, including USFWS,
Delaware Department of Agriculture, NRCS, and several departments in DNREC.
DNREC plans to hold a public workshop in the Nanticoke watershed in late May or
early June to inform landowners of the project. Because of this increased
emphasis in wetland restoration, DNREC has agreed to hire a summer intern to
physically work in the Nanticoke watershed to find participants for WRP.
Estimated Cost per Acre
Easement Acquisition - $2500
Restoration - $100
Administrative Costs - $500
Threatened and Endangered Species
This project will have indirect benefits to two federally listed threatened and
endangered species, Delmarva Fox Squirrel and Bald Eagle. Delmarva Fox Squirrels
prefer mature stands of both hardwood and pines with a minimum amount of
understory and ground cover. Current causes of their decline are loss and
fragmentation of their habitat due to timber harvesting and the conversion of
forestland to other land uses. WRP easements will protect woodland habitat and
prevent timbering, which is vital to the Delmarva Fox Squirrel. Bald Eagles will
also benefit from the same habitat protect, providing nesting and lofting areas
for this species.
| Map of the proposed area in Delaware |
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Landowners in Kent and Sussex counties with land in the Choptank River,
Nanticoke River, Blackwater- Wicomico or Pocomoke River Watersheds have until
July 15 to apply for funding through the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) Reverse
Auction Initiative.
Along with the completed assessment, the landowner must provide:
1. An aerial photograph of the offered area (can be obtained from the local USDA
Service Center).
2. A location map of all ditches, controlled inlet pipes, and other features
such as swales that adversely affects the hydrology of the wooded wetland. Also,
locate all tax ditches, areas of fill, or hazardous materials located in the
project area.
To be eligible for participation, lands must be privately owned, tribal land or
state, county or non-federal public lands that meet WRP eligibility criteria.
The eligible land use will be wooded wetlands that have been hydrologically
modified. Drainage on the land should consist mainly of site-lateral ditches.
Eligible landowners should complete the attached environmental self assessments
of the lands they wish to enroll in WRP, and submit sealed bids that are less
than the geographically determined bid cap. This year cap is yet to be
determined. The 2006 Reverse Auction cap was $2,500 an acre. Once the 2007 cap
is set we will notify applicants prior to the deadline for submitting of sealed
bids. Applications will be prioritized according to an Environmental Benefits
Index (EBI) that is determined by dividing the landowner bid offer by the
environmental self assessment score.
WETLAND RESERVE PROGRAM REVERSE AUCTION TIMELINE
- Landowner should submit their self assessment and sealed WRP Reverse
Auction Bid to their local NRCS Field Office no later than July 15, 2007.
- Landowner will have the opportunity to submit a second bid to their
local NRCS Field Office by August 1, 2007.
- NRCS will make final selection of funding and provide the Option to
Agreement to Purchase to the participants to be returned no later than
September 7, 2007.
Note to Landowners developing an Application Package: The information
on this page (Self Assessment) can be downloaded, completed and printed as a
Microsoft Word Form. A link to the free Microsoft Readers and the Self
Assessment Application is available at the end of this information page.
Wetland Reserve Program RESERVE BID 2007
LANDOWNER SELF ASSESSMENT
At this time, the WRP Reserve Auction Program is only available in the
selected priority area. Landowners located within these areas are eligible to
apply for this program. For more information, please contact your local NRCS
office.
This self assessment document is to be completed by the landowner for
participation in the Reverse Auction Wetland Reserve Program (WRP). Only lands
eligible are wooded wetlands that have been hydrologically modified in the
Choptank, Nanticoke, Blackwater-Wicomico, and Pocomoke River watersheds, and
located outside of the growth zones determined by the state. Lands are not
eligible that are in the state Farmland Protection Program.
Along with the completed assessment, the landowner must provide:
- An aerial photograph of the offered area, which can be obtained from the
local USDA Service Center.
- A location map of all ditches, controlled inlet pipes, and other
features such as swales that adversely affects the hydrology of the wooded
wetland. Also, locate all tax ditches, areas of fill, or hazardous materials
located in the project area.
Applicant/s Name:_____________________________________________________
Applicant/s Address:____________________________________________________
City: _________________________ State: _________ Zip Code: ___________
Home Phone: ______________________ Cell Phone: ______________________
Basic
- Is your land in the state Farmland Protection Program? Yes No
- Do you posses clear title? Yes No
If no, will parties with an interest in the land subordinate their interest
in the WRP easement? Examples: 1) a creditor who is using the land as
collateral for a loan; 2) someone who has been granted the right to use the
property for other purposes, like a hunting lease. Yes No
If no, please explain:
- Are there any existing encumbrances, i.e., easements, right of
ways, etc.?
Yes No
- Is there the ability to provide clear access to the proposed easement
area from a public road or can you provide a recorded right-of-way access to
the easement area? Yes No
- Do you have any existing contracts on the proposed project site, such as
timber rights or sand and gravel pits? Yes No
Land Eligibility
- Is the land in private ownership? Yes No
- Has the hydrology been manipulated by past drainage work? Yes No
See paragraph above for needed documentation.
Participant Eligibility
- Are you in compliance with the Swampbuster provisions of the Food
Security Act? Yes No
- Are you in compliance with the Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) limitations?
(Your annual AGI does not exceed $2.5 million or if greater then 2.5
million, did 75% come from farming or forestry) Yes No
- Have you owned the land for more than a year? Yes No
Ecological Ranking
Scores will be verified by USDA, NRCS. A minimum of 60 Self Assessment points
is required for consideration into the program.
- What is the size of the offered area? ________ acres
(Fill in entire offered acreage)
- > 50 acres - 20 points
- 10 – 50 acres - 10 points
- < 10 acres - 0 points
- What is the maturity and species composition of the proposed site?
Age
- Over 40 years - 10 points
- 20 – 40 year - 5 points
- Less than 20 year - 0 points
Species Composition
- Hardwood - 10 points
- 50/50 mix - 5 points
- Softwood - 0 points
- What is the adjacent land use of the proposed WRP land?
- On or off your
property? - 20 points
- Additional woodland not protected by a conservation easement or owned by
a wildlife organization? - 10 points
- No additional woodland adjacent to the offered area? - 0 points
- What percent of the offered area can be restored by blocking existing
drainage?
- Greater than 75 - 40 points
- 50 – 75% - 20 points
- Less 50% - 0 points
- Percent of the offered land in hydric soils?
- Greater then 75 - 20 points
- 50- 75% - 10 points
- Less then 50% - 0 points
Each applicant is required to submit a sealed bid along with their
application indicating the dollar amount per acre that they are willing to
accept for the easement. Applications will be evaluated by calculating the cost
effectiveness (cost per acre to acquire the easement, the bid) and dividing it
by the ecological considerations (total score above) = an Environmental Benefits
Index (EBI). The lower the score, the more competitive the application will be
for funding.
For my initial bid, I am wiling to accept $_____________ per acre for a
perpetual WRP easement.
For my initial bid, I am wiling to accept $_____________ per acre for a 30
year WRP easement.
__________________________________________ ______________________
Landowner Signature
Date
Maps of the growth zones of all the major towns in region
| Description |
Map
|
| This map portrays the growth zones of all the major
towns in this region. It is overlaid with a watershed layer. The gray
polygons are non-growth areas and coastal zones. Red stands for the
highest percentage of growth and yellow is the lowest. |
 |
| This map portrays the growth zones of all the major
towns in this region. It is overlaid with a watershed layer. The gray
polygons are non-growth areas and coastal zones. Red stands for the
highest percentage of growth and yellow is the lowest. |
 |
NOTE! The initial bid must be submitted by July 15, 2007
Program Information and a Microsoft Word document on the Reverse Auction are attached
in the following
Documents:
The Following Document Requires
Adobe Acrobat
or Microsoft Word
Wetlands
Reserve Program Information Brochure - Reverse Auction (42 KB)
Delaware
Wetlands Reserve Program Reverse Auction Self Assessment Application (43 KB)
WRP
2007 Delaware Reserve Auction Project Area - Important Information
(622 KB)
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