Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
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BISMARCK – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) issued the following statement on the investment of up to $5 million into the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Wetland Mitigation Banking Program:
“No one cares for our land more than the first true conservationists: farmers and ranchers. Being a wetland-rich environment, North Dakota has long been a leader in promoting a symbiotic relationship between farming, ranching, and conservation. I’m pleased to see a federal investment in the Wetland Mitigation Banking Program as it provides a workable solution for agricultural producers to maintain farm program eligibility and benefit the environment.”
Authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Wetlands Mitigation Banking Program is a competitive grants program supporting the development and establishment of wetland mitigation banks. Producers who participate in the Wetlands Mitigation Banking Program restore, create or enhance wetlands to compensate for the unavoidable impacts to wetlands in another location. This programs help producers remain in compliance for farm program benefits.
Funds are available to Tribes, state and local government entities, nonprofits, and other organizations. NRCS is accepting proposals from eligible entities through Grants.gov by 11:59 pm ET on Sept. 19, 2022.