KIM’s bringing Santa’s home here
December 8, 2009
Galeand Raymond Theriot
December 10, 2009The Natural Resource Conservation Service has recently sweetened the pot to get landowners to convert under-used property into wetlands.
Through the Wetlands Restoration program, landowners can receive up to $1,400 per acre to convert qualifying property into wetlands.
“The intent of the program is to try and find land that may not be very productive, and trying to give landowners incentive to use these marginal croplands as wetlands restoration projects,” said John Boatman, a spokesman for the NRCS field office in Thibodaux.
“We’re looking to take lands that were once wetlands or swampy areas that were cleared or farmed, and restore them to wetland values,” he said.
According to Boatman, there are a variety of options for landowners ranging from 10-year tree-planting programs to permanent restoration projects. None of the arrangements force the landowner to give up property rights.
“The person retains ownership of it. So they’ll still be able to retain hunting rights, enjoyment uses, mineral rights, things like that, but the government is purchasing the management of the property to promote wildlife,” said Boatman “This can actually be a way to improve hunting grounds.”
The NRCS is trying to raise awareness for the program because the program has had little success in the Tri-parish area.
“Lafourche and Terrebonne has been one of those areas where we really haven’t had any participation. That’s why the cost cap has been raised to $1,400 from $800,” Boatman said. The northeast Louisiana delta region is where the program is most widely use, and some parishes have already reached their acreage cap, according to Boatman.
Wetlands restoration can have a myriad of benefits for landowners, said Boatman, including, “Restoring habitat for threatened and endangered species, water quality improvements, stopping soil erosion and air quality.”
Anyone interested in the program should contact John Boatman at the Thibodaux NRCS Field Office on 143 Laura St., Thibodaux, or call (985) 447-3871.
