Doing WRP on our property

[tica-tica]

Property is in North Alabama. I put the app in and they are doing the soil tests, appraisal, etc. now. Any suggestions/comments before we sign on the line? Do you like the 30yr or the permanent easement?

[Don Miller]

DON'T DO IT! If you can afford to keep the property without the government getting involved, you are a lot better off. No way in hell would I give the government an easement on any of my property.

[Don Miller]

Ooops! double post

[JaMak84]

I don't know what the prices are like in Alabama, but I know here in Mississippi they suck. I'd check into CRP and compare the money. You can build dikes and water control structures for waterfowl management with CRP as well and receive cost-share assistance on those practices. The cost share for those structures on CRP should be close to the same as the cost share on a 30 year WRP easement. The only draw back to CRP vs WRP is that you can't plant anything in the waterfowl areas on CRP, they are shallow water management only. I work for NRCS and if I had my own property and could afford to pay the cost share on the restoration I would go with CRP. If you can't afford the restoration costs, then a perpetual easement might be the right thing for you. Just remember, on a perpetual WRP easement you only retain 5 rights FOREVER; CRP is only a 15 year contract.

[Double R 2]

If you decide to go through with it, y'all might consider ommitting some of your current impoundments or annually flooded agricultural areas from the program.

[tica-tica]

It's in Madison co. near Huntsville so we are expecting $3200 to $3500 per acre on the appraisal. I agree with taking some out to plant as we like. Do yall think the WRP hurts the resale? This property is only 48 acres and is attractive for recreation. I would imagine some large tract in WRP might limit resale opportunities but I dunno.

[Double R 2]

[JaMak84]

[tica-tica]

[Double R 2]

Here's a few links that explain it far better than myself (and, most importantly, with a lot less typing on my part).

I do baseline documentation reports. The ecomomic benfit derived is nothing short of astounding - especially since the property is already in the perpetual wetland reserve program (which has been the case in about 80% the baseline reports I've written. IF the property is already in some form of perpetual easement that already precludes development, or IF for whatever reason the landowner is absolutely certain that current land useage is desired forever, it's pretty much a no brainer. Of course, program benefits are presently tied up in the pending Farm Bill. Mississippi River Land Trust, Ducks Unlimited, Nature Conservancy and Delta Land Trust are a few organizations I know that do conservation easements.

http://www.wildlifemiss.org/financial/easements/index.html

http://www.outdooralabama.com/hunting/articles/easements.cfm

[Wingman]

Anyone have the scoop on the CRP thing on existing fish ponds? I heard it was about to happen, but don't have the details.

[tica-tica]

[Double R 2]

[JaMak84]

[Double R 2]

Conservation easements (after the President Vetoes the Farm Bill and Congress over rides the Veto) - looks a 2 year extension granted for conservation easements: 50% adjusted income deductible and amortize over 15 years. IF 51% of your income derived from agriculture (including forestry), can deduct 100% of ag income.