Tri-state Conservation Partnership – 2021 WREP Proposal

On Nov 3rd, the Tri-state Conservation Partnership (TCP) submitted a funding proposal to the NRCS for Phase III of it’s Tri-state Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP) project.  The project is titled, “Restoring Forested Wetlands within Mississippi Alluvial Valley Priority Focal Areas in AR, LA and MS”.  The Phase III proposal is requesting $19.5M in NRCS funding with four match partners committing an additional $1M or 27% of the total estimated restoration cost for the project.

TCP WREP Project Area

The proposed project focuses on restoration of forested wetlands within priority portions of the Mississippi Alluvial Valley.  It targets acquisition of WREP easements adjacent to or in the immediate vicinity of existing, permanently protected conservation estate (i.e., state and federal lands and wetland reserve easement).  

The project strategy has thus far proven effective, as the initial phase of the project, designed and submitted in the spring of 2017, was awarded $4.8M. A Phase II Tri-state WREP proposal was awarded an additional $10M in September 2019.  These efforts have resulted in 3,864 easement restoration acres that have closed or pending closure in the project area.

NRCS is scheduled to announce WREP awards in late January 2021 and TCP partners are hopeful for another successful proposal.