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WETLAND
EASEMENTS |
|
 Why
protect wetlands? Wetlands are necessary for the production of waterfowl
and they are rapidly disappearing because of an expanding society.
Wetlands provide rich and productive habitat for all wildlife, especially
waterfowl. Thousands of small wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region
were formed when glaciers scarred the landscape. North Dakota and Long
Lake National Wildlife Refuge lie at the center of this region that
stretches from Alberta, Canada to central Iowa. Millions of ducks nest
in Prairie Pothole wetlands each year. By protecting wetlands, man
protects his future and the future of waterfowl in North America. |
|
| Wetlands
aid in flood and erosion control by holding the water on the land,
reducing peak runoff and flooding conditions. Water held in wetlands
also has a chance to seep underground and recharge water supplies.
In the late 1950's, concern over rampant U.S. Department of Agriculture subsidized wetland drainage catalyzed the conservation community. The program to save The Wetlands was authorized by Congress on August 1, 1958. It is financed by receipts from the sale of Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamps, commonly known as Duck Stamps. Sportsmen throughout the nation are sponsoring this project when they purchase these stamps. |
|
| A wetland easement is a legal agreement signed with the United States of America, through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), that pays landowners to permanently protect wetlands. Wetlands covered by an easement cannot be drained, filled, leveled, or burned. When these wetlands dry up naturally, they can be farmed, grazed, or hayed. Wetlands covered by an easement are mapped and a copy of the easement and maps is sent to the landowner. No signs are placed on the property and the easement will not affect hunting or mineral rights. | |
 Property
having wetlands of value to waterfowl and is in a county which has
been approved for the easement program can qualify for a wetland easement.
These easements are permanent (perpetual) between the Service and all
present and future landowners. The Service obtains title evidence from
the abstracter at no cost to the landowner. The title is checked to
determine that all owners of record have signed the easement. Service
attorneys will review the case and furnish an opinion of title. If
the opinion points out any title defects, we will assist the landowner
in correcting these title defects. The easement will then be accepted
by the Service. This process usually take about six to nine months. |
|
 Once
the easement has been accepted, the landowner receives a letter by
certified mail informing him that the easement has been accepted and
is being recorded at the county courthouse. The Service will also send
a copy of the fully executed easement at that time.
To determine payment, a Service appraiser estimates the value of the easement based on a fair market value appraisal. This appraisal is based on the affect of the easement on your property. The appraisal is then approved by a Service review appraiser. The payment is made in a single lump-sum payment in the form of a check from the U.S. Treasury for the full amount specified in the easement. Payment is usually made within six to nine months after the easement has been signed. The Service pays to record the easement and have the abstracter bring the title evidence up to date prior to payment. |
|
 Easement
wetlands are part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Currently,
in the States of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana, there are
over 1,200,000 wetland acres protected permanently.
Partners for Fish and Wildlife restores drained pothole wetlands, which makes them eligible for wetland easement protection. About 20 percent of the wetlands restored through Partners for Fish and Wildlife become permanently protected at the landowner's request. |
|
Please direct questions and comments to: Long Lake
National Wildlife Refuge |
|
